Sinaloa Cartel ⁣Leader’s Plea Sparks Political Scrutiny‍ in ⁣Mexico

The guilty plea ‌of Jesús ​”El‍ Mayo” Zambada,a high-ranking leader of the⁤ Sinaloa Cartel,is sending ‍ripples through mexican politics,reviving old‌ allegations of campaign funding from illicit sources and raising​ new questions about a ⁣recent​ kidnapping and alleged cover-up. Zambada, facing a life sentence and $15 billion in asset ‍forfeiture, admitted responsibility for the violence​ caused by the cartel and offered an ⁤apology to those affected by his actions.

Zambada’s cooperation with U.S. ‌authorities is expected to ⁢focus on identifying corrupt officials who aided​ the cartel, including within the military and police forces.This prospect⁣ has reportedly caused anxiety among Mexico’s ⁢political elite. The ​timing of his plea coincides ‍with heightened tensions surrounding the alleged kidnapping of Zambada by associates ⁢of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s son, ‍and the subsequent arrest of “El‌ Mayo” himself.

The case has⁢ also brought renewed attention to claims that Zambada provided financial support to⁣ President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s 2006 presidential campaign. Rey, a witness in previous trials, recalled ‌paying Zambada money⁤ that was reportedly intended for the campaign. While ‍previous ​legal proceedings were limited by judicial orders and failed to definitively prove the connection, the current climate of ‌scrutiny is​ fueling speculation. López ⁢Obrador, ‍now of the Morena party, previously‍ championed‌ a “hugs not bullets” approach‌ to combating organized crime.

Further complicating matters is the death of Héctor Melesio Cuén, a former mayor of Culiacán, who was found shot to death on the day of Zambada’s ‌arrest.Zambada had ‌claimed he⁢ was invited to a meeting intended to mediate a dispute between Cuén and⁢ Rubén Rocha Moya, the current Governor of Sinaloa, both⁢ of whom are members of‍ the Morena‌ party. Rocha Moya⁢ denies any involvement ‌in a kidnapping plot, citing flight records showing he was on a family trip to los Angeles at the ‍time.

Mexican federal authorities have raised concerns about the investigation into Cuén’s death, specifically citing the unusual and rapid cremation⁤ of his body. This has added⁤ to suspicions of a ⁣potential cover-up.⁢

Guillermo Valdes Castellanos, a ‌former head of ⁣Mexico’s national intelligence agency, believes Zambada’s plea will compel U.S. authorities to aggressively⁤ pursue information about politicians who ‍protected the‍ cartel leader.

Since Zambada’s ⁤arrest, Sinaloa has experienced increased violence due to clashes between a faction​ led by his son, Mayito Flaco, and Los chapitos. Following the court‌ hearing‍ in brooklyn, Zambada’s lawyer issued a plea for calm in Sinaloa,​ urging residents to avoid violence and work towards peace and stability.