When Ismael Zambada García, widely known as ‘El Mayo’ and recognized as one of the most important leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, was flown to the United States against his will on July 25, 2025, he briefly feared being thrown out of the aircraft. According to his defense attorney, Frank Pérez, the cofounder of the cartel suspected that fellow passenger Joaquín Guzmán López intended to push him mid-flight into Texas, as detailed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
The Flight to Texas and Claims of Betrayal
Frank Pérez stated that his client endured terrifying moments aboard the plane before it landed in El Paso, Texas, where United States authorities detained both men. During the journey, Joaquín Guzmán López assured the cartel leader that he would not face a fatal plunge, claiming instead that the trip served to secure a deal and reduce his own sentencing. However, this account starkly contrasts with the involuntary nature of the transit emphasized by the defense.
Public details surrounding the operation emerged on August 10, 2024, when a letter written by Ismael Zambada became public. In the document, ‘El Mayo’ explicitly stated that he did not surrender voluntarily to United States authorities. “Al contrario, fui secuestrado y traído a Estados Unidos por la fuerza y en contra de mi voluntad,” he wrote, accusing Joaquín Guzmán, also known as ‘El Güero’, of kidnapping and treason.
Did You Know? Ismael Zambada García stated in his public letter that he originally believed he was attending a meeting at the Huertos del Pedregal ranch outside Culiacán to resolve differences with the participation of regional political figures.
The Setup at Huertos del Pedregal
According to Zambada’s narrative, the fateful meeting was arranged to resolve differences with the involvement of Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha and Culiacán Mayor Héctor Melesio Cuén, alongside anticipated participation from Iván Archivaldo Guzmán. The gathering took place at the Huertos del Pedregal ranch on the outskirts of Culiacán. Although Zambada observed numerous armed men at the location, he initially assumed they belonged to the security detail of Joaquín Guzmán and Los Chapitos.
Accompanied by four members of his own personal security team—while two others remained outside—Zambada followed Joaquín Guzmán López after the younger man made a gesture for him to follow. Familiar with Guzmán López since childhood, Zambada trusted the signal. Instead of a political meeting, he was led into a room, subjected to an ambush, handcuffed, placed in a pickup truck, driven to an airstrip, and forced onto the plane.
Sentencing and Legal Proceedings
The legal aftermath of the July 25, 2025, operation culminated on July 20, 2026, when Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada received a sentence of life imprisonment following his trial in the United States. He will spend the remainder of his life behind bars in an American prison. Meanwhile, co-defendant Joaquín Guzmán López faces his own judicial reckoning in a Chicago court, where he previously entered a guilty plea for drug trafficking and organized crime charges in December.
Judicial proceedings for Guzmán López continue to move forward under strict oversight. A preparation hearing for Guzmán López was scheduled before a Chicago court, though the session was postponed to March 1, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ismael Zambada fear while on the airplane?
According to his attorney Frank Pérez, Zambada feared that Joaquín Guzmán López was going to push him out of the airplane while they were being transported to Texas.
When was Ismael Zambada detained in the United States?
He was detained by United States authorities in El Paso, Texas, on July 25, 2025.
What was the outcome of Ismael Zambada’s legal case?
Following his trial, Ismael Zambada was sentenced to life imprisonment on July 20, 2026, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in a United States prison.
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