Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the infamous drug lord and former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, continues to draw public attention even from his cell in a maximum-security prison in the United States.
A series of letters allegedly penned by El Chapo were recently leaked to the media, revealing his persistent efforts to stay in touch with his family and communicate with key individuals outside the prison walls.
The letters, published by Mexican newspaper Milenio, El Chapo appeals for assistance in reaching a lawyer to receive identification documents, asks to see his wife Emma Coronel, connects with his alleged mistress Lucero Sánchez, an elected official to the Mexican Congress, and gives 'business' orders.
The content of the letters shows a strategic attempt to maintain contact with his close associates and family members despite being under strict confinement. Intercepted by prison authorities, his texts reveal a network of communication that raises concerns about ongoing illicit activities orchestrated from behind bars.
Excerpts of the leaked El Chapo letters
Asking to see his family
"I kindly ask that you authorize my wife to visit me and bring my daughters as well. My wife has fulfilled the house arrest conditions set on September 13, 2023, and from that date onwards, she will be able to travel throughout the country, as she will only be on probation.
"The prosecutors objected to her visiting me when they took me to New York, arguing that she could send messages against the witnesses and that they needed to be protected.
"The girls are studying in Mexico and can only travel to visit their father during vacations twice a year, at most three times."
To his wife Emma Coronel
"Regarding El Cleto, increase the production to make it last. Send my regards to El Cleto. Tell him to please help me out so that the first sale is on my behalf (...) Because I have a lot of expenses here," he said in another excerpt from the letter, which led to linking Coronel with drug trafficking and a heroin-producing drug trafficker in Durango.
Texts like this landed Coronel in jail for two years.
To "La Chapodiputada"
One of the letters written by Joaquín Guzmán Loera was addressed to Lucero Guadalupe Sánchez López, a congresswoman who rose to power with the drug lord's help, earning her the nickname "La Chapodiputada." Sánchez López was romantically linked to El Chapo, and their intimate conversations ultimately played a role in his downfall.
During Guzmán Loera's trial, La Chapodiputada presented 6,000 text messages in which the drug lord himself confessed to various crimes, including drug operations, murders, and escapes. These messages were not the only form of communication between the drug trafficker and the former public official; while the leader del Cartel de Sinaloa was imprisoned in Altiplano, she visited him and received letters from him. This is a fragment of one of those letters:
"I gladly and lovingly reply to your letter, wishing that when you receive my letter, you and the whole family and our children are well, which is my greatest wish. I was very happy to receive your letter, my love, and reading it made me very happy to know that our son is doing well. What a joy! Make sure to take care of yourself, as getting tired or stressed could harm you. I won't mention anything that might upset you, my love. The only favor I ask is that when they write to me or visit, you give me the details of when you were at the clinic. I don't think this will be too much trouble for you, my love.
I really want to see you. Keep talking to the lawyer about the identification; it should be ready when you come to visit me. I can't wait to see you and your belly, our beautiful child. If it's a girl, we will name her after her mother; if it's a boy, after his grandfather or father. We'll see what the beautiful mom, whom I love so much and will always love, thinks.
On another note, my dear, I've been told that our child is suffering greatly because of his father, which is understandable. Take him to a psychologist for therapy; it will help him a lot. Try to take him every two weeks to help him cope with his father's situation. Tell him that his father has gone to heaven, that he is an angel watching over him from above.
You should also undergo therapy, my love, because it's very hard for our child to understand, but the therapy will help so he doesn't suffer too much. Tell him I send my regards and that I love him very much. Best regards to the whole family. From the one who loves you."
El Chapo's Current Situation
Joaquín Guzmán Loera is currently serving a life sentence at the ADX Florence prison in Colorado, often referred to as the "Alcatraz of the Rockies." This facility is known for its extreme security measures, designed to prevent high-risk inmates from escaping or continuing their criminal enterprises. Guzmán's incarceration followed his 2019 conviction on multiple charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and involvement in organized crime.
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Despite his incarceration, El Chapo remains a potent symbol in the criminal underworld, and his ability to command attention from his cell speaks volumes about his enduring influence. His latest attempt to communicate outside prison walls through these letters has raised questions about the effectiveness of solitary confinement and the extent to which prison authorities can curb the reach of powerful criminal figures.
The Ongoing Saga of El Chapo
The leak of El Chapo's letters and the allegations of corruption within the prison system continue to fuel speculation about his influence from behind bars. While Guzmán's legal team and family members have yet to comment on the authenticity of the letters, their content paints a picture of a man still fighting to maintain his connections and control over his network.
As this story unfolds, the world watches closely, waiting to see if further leaks or revelations will shed light on El Chapo's operations from prison. The information could also affect the cases against two of his children, and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who was is partner in the creation of El Cartel de Sinaloa.
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