U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, defended ongoing cross-border anti-drug collaboration following public complaints from Mexican prosecutors about inadequate information sharing from American officials. A recent incident involving the arrest of two Mexican drug lords at an airport near El Paso, Texas, in July, on a clandestine flight, came as a surprise to Mexican authorities, who claimed they were unaware of the operation. In an unusual move, Mexico’s federal Attorney General’s Office requested Interpol’s assistance in acquiring details about the flight, a task typically handled directly between the two countries.

Ambassador Salazar emphasized the positive state of cooperation in combating drug-related crimes despite the unexpected private flight carrying Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán Lopez, the son of incarcerated drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman. Both individuals are associated with rival factions of the Sinaloa drug cartel, with reports suggesting that Guzmán tricked Zambada into attending a gathering where he was seized and transported to the United States. Guzmán had allegedly been in discussions with U.S. officials about surrendering for some time, however, he failed to disclose plans to bring Zambada along.

On another note, Ambassador Salazar shared his approval of a facet of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s proposed judicial system reforms, particularly the aspect that would require all judges to undergo elections. The proposed reforms, which include various changes in the judicial system, have raised concerns about potential implications on judicial independence. Salazar refrained from expressing a stance on this matter, emphasizing that it is ultimately a decision for the Mexican people. However, he voiced support for a reform that would streamline legal proceedings in Mexico to prevent cases from dragging on for years due to continuous appeals by suspects.

Citing instances where extradition requests for Zetas cartel leaders have been pending for nearly a decade without a ruling, Salazar advocated for setting time limits on judicial decisions. He noted the importance of expediting legal processes to ensure prompt resolutions.