It may not be to everyone's liking, including the author of this piece, but the recent dispute regarding the kidnapping in Mexico and arrest in the United States of Ismael "Mayo" Zambada highlighted less the American distrust—though it certainly exists—towards the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and more the concerns about what are considered compromised structures within Mexico’s security agencies.
The López Obrador administration and its "hugs, not bullets" strategy have clashed from the outset with the U.S. vision of the "war on drugs" and with the presence and actions of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Mexico. The DEA not only harbors long-standing resentment towards the country and its institutions but also frequently clashes with other U.S. agencies to assert its jurisdiction and justify its existence.
But even though AMLO stood up to the DEA, it was a political decision that the DEA understands—though they may not like it. The distrust from the DEA and the U.S. government towards AMLO’s administration stems more from ideological disagreements and real or perceived corruption than from a lack of understanding.
Nevertheless, this distrust lingers, much like the multiple times López Obrador has kept President Joe Biden waiting. This does not necessarily include the alleged presence of Russian spies, the assumed influence of Cuban intelligence in Mexico, or the influx of Chinese goods—whether steel or cars—trying to pass into the United States through Mexican intermediaries.
The distrust mainly concerns Mexican security agencies, which are considered deeply compromised by drug cartels, and this sentiment has persisted for decades, long before AMLO's administration.
Distrust in the Mexican police is not new. Recall the case of General Agustín Gutiérrez Rebollo, who was the "Drug Czar" under Vicente Fox’s government and was imprisoned in Mexico for his ties to drug trafficking groups; or the later case of former Security Secretary Genaro García Luna, who is now on trial in the United States.
If anyone doubts this, they need only look at the statement attributed to "Mayo" Zambada himself, who recounted attending his July 25th meeting with Joaquín Guzmán López, who eventually kidnapped him and took him to the United States, accompanied by a commander of the Sonora state judicial police. Additionally, Zambada expected to meet with Governor Rubén Rocha.
This can be categorized as "nothing new under the sun." Another facet is the fear or concern of the United States that Mexican criminal groups may have been infiltrated by agents of foreign intelligence agencies or organizations hostile to U.S. interests, particularly the Russians.
And if anyone believes that the Mexican government trusts the U.S. government...
BY JOSÉ CARREÑO FIGUERAS
CONTRIBUTOR
JOSE.CARRENO@ELHERALDODEMEXICO.COM
@CARRENOJOSE1