The extradition of Joaquin Guzman occurred on the eve that the United States formally Transfers the torch of supremacy, inauguration day. On January 20th, 2017 moments after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, the news broke. BBC News announced that Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was extradited to the US facing 14 charges.
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is a man that is loved by few, respected by most, and feared by all. He was born in La Tuna, Badiraguato. A town located in Sinaloa, Mexico. It is known as one of the poorest neighborhoods in the state of Sonora. Guzman married Alejandrina Hernandez in 1977. Together they had three kids: Cesar; Ivan Archivaldo; and Jesus Alfredo. In the 1980’s he married Griselda Lopez Perez and had four kids: Edgar; Joaquin; Ovidio; and Griselda. Edgar died in 2008 after being ambushed in Sinaloa. His sons have followed in his footsteps in the drug business with Ivan taking the reins of the cartel. In December of 2016, La Septima Banda released a song titled “Ivan a buscarme” telling the people of Mexico and the world of the news.
El Chapo took control of the Sinaloa Cartel in 1995 after Hector Luis Palma Salazar was arrested. Palma began the cartel in 1988. Being in operation for over 25 years, their main territory is in Sonora and Durango, Mexico. This does not stop their growth with the soldiers they have placed globally in Australia, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Russia.
The Obama administration has been keen to work with the Mexican people throughout his term in office. However, Trump began weakening the relationship since the first day of his presidential bid. In his speech announcing his candidacy for the oval office, he remarked that the Mexican people are “criminals”, “murderers”, and “rapists”. This sparked a rage of anger throughout the countries of Mexico and the United States. In 2016, El Chapo was brought into the spotlight of politics. In September Mexican President Peña Nieto invited Trump to Los Pinos. A month after the meeting in October, a judge ruled and stopped the extradition of El Chapo.
El Chapo’s extradition happened at an unusual time. Some believe that it was Mexico’s gift to President Obama as he left office. Others believe that the Mexican government handed him over to keep President Trump and the new administration happy. However, all believe that Mexico betrayed their people and used El Chapo as a pawn in a game. There is a group of people in Mexico and around the world that want El Chapo to run for President of Mexico. “Why not,” Said Idania (the name has been changed for their safety), a graduate student. “He has plenty of money, he doesn’t need to be bribed, and who is going to fuck with him?” Conveying the sentiment that Mexicans around the world are feeling at the moment; the government turned their backs on the people of Mexico.
The Peso dropped 13.4 percent coming in at 20.78 to the dollar. The Mexican Peso has not been this low since the post-tequila crisis of 1994-95. During that time, Mexico nearly went bankrupt. Making it the biggest victim since President Trump won the election. Which begs the question: How will the cartels be affected?
The Cartel’s profit mostly from drugs. Generally, they use the cocaine that is processed in South America. Then, they distribute it into the United States. The money will always end in Mexico, where the Cartels are headquartered. Meaning that dropping the exchange rate does not affect the Cartels cost structure with their counterparts south of them who manufacture the drugs. Currently, the Colombian peso is at 136.05 to the Mexican Peso. The Cartels do have to be careful because the IRS lowered the deposit reporting amount to $4,500 from $10,000 to help combat the Cartels. That does not stop them in bringing the money to Mexico. In 2010, HSBC Europe was caught moving over $881 Million for the Sinaloa Cartel. HSBC was discovered to be moving these millions proving that the deposit restrictions are not preventing laundering.
Cartels will always profit. Today the Mexican Government officially proved it cares more about image than anything. The image that the government set was legendary. El Chapo went from a folklore hero to a Legend for the people of Mexico and around the world. Demonstrating to the people of Mexico, the government never cared about the people, only the image of the politicians. Although, El Chapo knew what was waiting for him, a prison cell. Never wanting the status of being a legend, it was earned. He earned the status by setting the stage and standard for the next generation of Cartel leaders.
“It’s a sad day for Mexico,” said Idania. “I never thought that (President Enrique Peña Nieto) would do this to the people of Mexico! He betrayed us!” The name Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman belongs with many who are incarcerated and those who are free. As he lives out the last days of his life, he will honor his name and serve his time with pride, elegance, and dignity.
