U.S. Attorney General Issues Statement On Escape From Mexican Prison By Joaquín Guzmán Loera; Reputed Narcotics Kingpin Known As ‘El Chapo’ Reportedly Ducked Through Tunnel
In an extraordinary statement issued on a Sunday, U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said “[t]he U.S. government stands ready to work with our Mexican partners to provide any assistance that may help support his swift recapture.”
The reference was to reputed Mexican druglord Joaquin Guzman Loera, known as “El Chapo.” News broke earlier today that Guzman had escaped from a prison about 55 miles outside Mexico City, reportedly by tunneling out.
Here is the full statement by Lynch (italics added):
“We share the government of Mexico’s concern regarding the escape of Joaquin Guzman Loera ‘Chapo’ from a Mexican prison. In addition to his crimes in Mexico, he faces multiple drug trafficking and organized crime charges in the United States.
“The U.S. government stands ready to work with our Mexican partners to provide any assistance that may help support his swift recapture.”
The escape triggered an international media sensation, with publications across the globe covering the sudden disappearance of the leader of the Sinaloa cartel.
Guzman initially escaped in 2001, but was recaptured last year. His latest escape is leading to fears he’ll soon be back at the helm of the murderous cartel and create even more international problems for Mexico’s government, which has been unable to contain him. As the PP Blog noted in 2014, Forbes magazine once described him as a billionaire and as one of the world’s most powerful people.
A sampling of current coverage of the escape:
Toronto Sun, via Reuters.
Bangkok Post, via AFP.
Jakarta Post, via AP.
