One of Mexico’s most notorious drug cartel leaders has sent a letter to Mexican officials claiming his treatment in U.S. prison has been unfair and inhumane. He is requesting to be returned to Mexico.
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was extradited to the U.S. in 2017 after twice escaping prison in Mexico, and is serving a life sentence for drug trafficking and homicide among other charges relating to his leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Now, he has reached out to Mexican leaders because of his alleged treatment in a maximum security prison in Colorado.
A letter from his lawyers to Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. on January 10th says he hasn’t seen the light of day in six months, hasn’t received adequate health care, and has little contact with his lawyers or family.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says his government takes claims of human rights abuses seriously and will look into the situation.
However, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrardo told reporters there is likely little Mexico can do while Guzman is serving his U.S. prison sentence.
