El Chapo, the United
States … and the Third Man (Milenio, Mexico)
"If so
many people knew of the impending start of extradition proceedings, it's
possible that among the Mexicans outside the narrow ruling circle who were
aware, there were those who disagreed with extradition … to prevent him from
telling - or inventing - stories involving senior Mexican figures. If the
latter exist, they would greatly fear to the consequences of his extradition
and would do anything to prevent it. The best way of doing so was ... the
escape of El Chapo."
Last week's speculation has been confirmed: The United
States had
requested Chapo Guzman's extradition about a week before his escape. The
Attorney General's Office - that sieve of indiscretion since time immemorial -
knew. Even without the help of the U.S. ambassador in Mexico or Mexico's
ambassador in the United States, Washington is likely to have formalized its
request only after having discussed it informally. Perhaps the State Department
doubted Mexico would accept, but desired some certainty that the paperwork
would be received. After the February departure of [former Attorney General] Jesus Murillo,
this seemed more feasible.
From
left to right: Mexico's Finance Minister Luis Videgaray
Caso, Interior Minister Miguel Osorio Chong and Presidential
Chief of Staff Aurelio Nuño
Mayer: All knew of the decision
to extradite 'El Chapo' Guzman to the U.S.
In late July, three influential members of the Peña Nieto government
met separately with a small group of industrialists - five or six - which might
be thought of as the first step in the 2018 presidential succession. According
to some, [Finance Minister] Videgaray, [Interior Minister] Osorio and [Presidential
Chief of Staff] Nuño [photo above] made an impression far greater than their
public image might otherwise suggest. One though, the interior minister,
perhaps exceeded even his associates by revealing that there was already an
extradition request from the United States and that the decision had been taken
to extradite Guzman.
This may or may not have contributed to El Chapo's decision
to flee. Obviously it didn't trigger the construction of the "Chapo Tunnel,"
the origins of which can be traced back to the purchase of the property under
which excavation began in May 2014. It may, however, have contributed to a
decision to help him by someone whose identity is unknown and whose existence
hasn't been proven, but which would explain what happened in the Altiplano
Prison. If so many people knew of the impending start of extradition proceedings,
it's possible that among the Mexicans outside the narrow ruling circle who were
aware, there were those who disagreed with extradition. This hypothesis, which
has already been suggested and is certainly conspiratorial, contains a measure
of credibility. I listened to someone whose own destiny is indirectly linked to
El Chapo and found it insightful.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
Well - this is embarrassing: 'El Chapo', godfather of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and one of the most murderous drug...
[President] Enrique Peña Nieto is too pragmatic to refuse
extradition for a year and a half for reasons of vulgar nationalism. It has
been thought for some time that the country is better off keeping the narco-traffickers
at home where they can be dealt with and "administered" from prison, rather
than sending them to the United States where the imprisoned narcos lose control
of their businesses, and Mexico loses control of their confessions. But I
assume that another reason not to extradite was to prevent him from telling -
or inventing - stories involving senior Mexican figures. If the latter exist, they
would greatly fear the consequences of his extradition and would do anything
to prevent it. The best way of doing so was ... the escape of El Chapo.
