In a surreal turn of events, lawyers held a televised news conference where they thanked the Mexican President for freeing the cartel boss.
A daring operation to capture one of Mexico’s most powerful drug lords failed disastrously when armed cartel members launched a deadly counterattack, laying siege to the northern city of Culiacan and taking several security officers hostage.
“We have a very humane and Christian president,” said one of the attorneys, Juan Pablo Badillo, praising him for acting “with great wisdom and justice.” Soldiers and guard members made the decision to pursue Guzman without authorization from their supervisors, he said. “The group responsible for this action, in eagerness to achieve positive results, acted in a hasty manner and with poor planning,” he said.
Lopez Obrador said Friday that he supported the move. “The capture of one criminal cannot be worth more than the lives of people,” he said. The armed response to the government operation had been “very violent” and put many lives at risk, he added.“We lived through hell,” said one woman who spent five hours sheltering inside a Sam’s Club with her three children after gunmen opened fire on a nearby street.
Everard Meade, a professor at the University of San Diego who studies violence and has worked extensively in Culiacan, said the video encapsulated fears about the government’s impotence. Joaquin Guzman escaped from Mexican prisons twice — once through a mile-long tunnel connected to the shower in his cell.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gunbattles erupt in Mexico when El Chapo's son is captured, prompting his releaseHeavy gunfire has rocked the Mexican city of Culiacan, home to Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s Sinaloa cartel, after security forces detained a son of the notorious kingpin.
Read more »
Failed raid against El Chapo's son leaves 8 dead in MexicoMexican security forces backed off an attempt to capture a son of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman after an intense firefight that left at least 8 dead. President Andrés Manuel López supported the pull back. Story:
Read more »
El Chapo's son released after fierce gun battles in MexicoHeavy gunfire rocked the city of Culiacan in clashes that left blazing vehicles strewn across the street and sent terrified residents running for cover after authorities captured Ovidio Guzman, son of jailed Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman.
Read more »
Gunbattles erupt as Mexico says El Chapo's son is locatedHeavy gunfire has rocked the Mexican city of Culiacan, home to Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s Sinaloa cartel, after security forces detained a son of the notorious kingpin.
Read more »