Mayo Zambada negotiates deal to avoid death penalty in the US

The trial against Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada had a new development this Monday. The U.S. prosecution and his defense requested Judge Brian M. Cogan to postpone the hearing scheduled for April 22 due to scheduling reasons.

The new proposed date is June 16.

Both parties agree that they are still exchanging evidence. Additionally, they are seeking a "pre-trial resolution", which in legal terms often anticipates a possible plea bargain.

A deal to avoid the death penalty?

Since February, the lawyer for the Sinaloa kingpin, Frank Pérez, hinted that Zambada might plead guilty. This would happen if the government guarantees that it will not seek the death penalty.

The problem is that New York abolished the death penalty in 2004. However, the federal crimes he faces—drug trafficking, murder, money laundering, and terrorism—could still lead to that sentence.

Capture and accusations

"El Mayo" was arrested on July 25, 2024, at an airport near El Paso, Texas. In the same operation, Joaquín Guzmán López, son of "El Chapo," was also captured.

Zambada claims he was betrayed and kidnapped by Guzmán López, who allegedly handed him over to authorities to reduce his own sentence.

What's at stake

Zambada's trial is one of the most significant in the recent history of the fight against drug trafficking. If an agreement is reached, it could avoid the trial and the death penalty, but it would also mean collaborating with the U.S. government.

The June 16 hearing could define the future of the Sinaloa Cartel's founder.