Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar claims that former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed deep concern regarding potential U.S. investigations following the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in July 2024. In his upcoming memoir, Las Fronteras: Mi Lucha por un EU incluyente, Salazar alleges that a confidential intermediary known as “El Susurrador” warned him that the former Mexican leader was unsettled by the information the U.S. could obtain from the high-ranking capo.
The impact of the July 2024 arrest
The arrest of “El Mayo” on July 25, 2024, at an airport in New Mexico, caught U.S. officials by surprise, according to Salazar. The former ambassador states he learned of the development the same day. He attributes the operation to Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who was apprehended alongside the elder drug lord.
Salazar writes that this event marked a turning point in his professional relationship with López Obrador. Despite maintaining a channel of communication since 2021, the former president stopped speaking to him following the arrest and after Salazar publicly voiced concerns regarding proposed judicial reforms in Mexico.
Ken Salazar served as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 2021 until his departure from the post on January 7, 2025.
Diplomatic tensions and judicial reform
The relationship between the two officials deteriorated further in August 2024. On August 23, 2024, López Obrador publicly accused Salazar of infringing upon Mexico’s sovereignty. Salazar contends his critiques were focused on the rule of law and the potential for a popularly elected judiciary to inadvertently consolidate the influence of transnational criminal cartels.
Salazar notes that he attempted to send private correspondence to the then-president offering alternative suggestions to the judicial reform package. He reports that these notes, like other communications during that period, received no response from the Mexican administration.
The narrative provided by Salazar highlights the inherent friction between bilateral intelligence cooperation and the political sensitivities of national sovereignty. The transition of power and the legacy of high-profile arrests suggest that legal proceedings involving key cartel figures may continue to influence diplomatic relations between Washington and Mexico City for the foreseeable future.
What happens next
As the legal processes involving Zambada and Guzmán López continue in U.S. courts, observers may expect ongoing scrutiny regarding the potential testimony provided by these figures. If information regarding government officials is disclosed during these trials, it could pose significant challenges for past and present administrative ties between the two nations. The legacy of these arrests is likely to remain a central point of tension in how both countries manage their shared security and judicial frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was “El Susurrador” according to the book?
Salazar describes him as a prominent Mexican businessman and a confidant to López Obrador who frequently provided the ambassador with advice, though he does not disclose the individual’s identity.
Why did López Obrador stop speaking to Salazar?
According to the memoir, the former president ceased communication after the arrest of “El Mayo” and following Salazar’s public criticism of the proposed judicial reforms in Mexico.
What was Salazar’s stance on the Mexican judicial reform?
Salazar argued that an elected judiciary could grant more power to criminal cartels, noting that these groups had already compromised various government officials.
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