Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called for former Secretary of Public Security Genaro García Luna to provide evidence supporting his allegations of the president's ties to drug trafficking. García Luna, who was convicted on drug trafficking charges in the United States last year, claimed in a jailhouse letter that López Obrador had connections with a faction of the Sinaloa cartel.
López Obrador dismissed the accusations and demanded García Luna to share any proof he claims to have, including videos, calls, and audios. The president suggested involving the DEA to verify the allegations made by García Luna, who was found guilty of accepting bribes from drug cartels during his tenure in security positions under former presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón.
García Luna, facing a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison, maintained his innocence in the letter and accused both Mexican and U.S. officials of providing false information about his case. He alleged that U.S. prosecutors offered him a reduced sentence in exchange for becoming a protected witness, a claim that has been refuted by authorities.
The former security official also faces accusations of embezzling millions of dollars from government contracts, with allegations of money laundering through offshore accounts and investments in luxury properties and vehicles. Mexican authorities have highlighted the dubious nature of the contracts awarded to companies associated with García Luna during his time in office.
García Luna's sentencing is scheduled for October 9, as he continues to deny the charges against him and raise concerns about his treatment while in detention in the United States. The case has drawn attention to the intersection of corruption, drug trafficking, and high-level government positions in Mexico, prompting further scrutiny of the country's security and anti-money laundering practices.
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