The arrest of two key Sinaloa Cartel members has sparked an investigation into possible treason charges from Mexican authorities. Mexican prosecutors are considering charges against those involved in the abduction and handover of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, a co-founder of the cartel, to U.S. authorities.
On July 25, U.S. officials announced the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of another infamous cartel co-founder, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The arrests were made in El Paso, Texas, after Guzmán López allegedly abducted Zambada Garcia and forced him onto a plane to the U.S.
Arrest of Infamous Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Raises Treason Concerns
Mexican authorities are now considering treason charges against Guzmán López and others involved in the abduction. The Mexican penal code defines treason as illegally abducting a person in Mexico to hand them over to authorities of another country.
The U.S. had offered a $15 million reward for the capture of Zambada Garcia, who is accused of leading a cartel responsible for spreading violence and terror across Mexico for decades.
Arrest of Infamous Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Raises Treason Concerns
Mexico's response to the apprehension is based on the country's penal code, which lays out prison sentences of up to 40 years in prison for treason.
The Mexican attorney general's office has opened a criminal investigation into possible crimes of illegal flight, illicit use of airports, immigration and customs violations, kidnapping, treason, and other applicable crimes.
Arrest of Infamous Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Raises Treason Concerns
The clause regarding treason was added in response to the abduction of Mexican doctor Humberto Machaín in 1990, who was kidnapped in Mexico and handed over to the U.S. Machaín was wanted for allegedly participating in the torture and murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador questioned the U.S. policy of detaining drug cartel leaders, asking why it couldn't be changed.
Arrest of Infamous Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Raises Treason Concerns
Zambada Garcia's lawyer released a letter claiming that his client was ambushed and kidnapped when he believed he was going to meet with the governor of Sinaloa. Zambada Garcia alleges he was taken against his will to the U.S.
In the letter, Zambada Garcia raised questions about the links between Sinaloa politicians and drug traffickers. However, Gov. Richa Moya denies any such links and claims he was not in Sinaloa on the day of the abduction.
Experts believe that now that Zambada Garcia is in U.S. custody, he may cooperate with authorities and accuse powerful individuals in Mexico of collaborating with cartels to negotiate a more favorable deal.
Fox News' Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
