Enrique Peña Nieto on El Chapo Guzmán
TL;DR
Enrique Peña Nieto's administration pursued the arrest and extradition of El Chapo Guzmán while vehemently denying corruption claims.
Key Points
The administration announced the recapture of Guzmán on January 8, 2016, following his escape in July 2015.
A witness at Guzmán’s U.S. trial alleged that Peña Nieto accepted $100 million in bribe money in October 2012.
The former president's spokesperson previously rejected initial bribery claims from Guzmán's defense team as completely false and defamatory in late 2018.
Summary
During his presidency, Enrique Peña Nieto oversaw the recapture and subsequent extradition of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán to the United States, framing these actions as major victories against organized crime. His government demonstrated a commitment to this pursuit, reversing the embarrassment of the drug lord's 2015 escape through a sustained operation. The administration highlighted that Guzmán was pursued, captured, and extradited as proof of its commitment to combating major drug trafficking leaders.
However, the tenure of Enrique Peña Nieto was subsequently rocked by explosive testimony during Guzmán’s trial in the U.S. A cooperating witness alleged that Peña Nieto accepted a $100 million bribe from Guzmán in 2012, before he took office, with an initial request for $250 million for leniency. A spokesperson for the former president immediately dismissed these corruption allegations as false and defamatory, a stance consistent with the government's prior rejection of similar claims made during the trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enrique Peña Nieto's administration made the capture and extradition of Joaquín Guzmán Loera a key focus of his security strategy. His forces captured Guzmán in 2016, just months after the drug lord's high-profile escape from prison. The government then worked to extradite him to the United States to face trial.
Yes, the administration had to deal with serious corruption allegations, particularly during Guzmán's trial. A cooperating witness claimed that Enrique Peña Nieto accepted a $100 million bribe from Guzmán prior to taking office. A spokesperson for the former president strongly denied these assertions, labeling them as false and defamatory.
The former president himself did not immediately respond to the specific testimony, but a spokesperson for his administration quickly rejected the claims of a bribe as 'false and defamatory.' This echoed the government's earlier response when similar allegations were first raised by Guzmán's defense lawyer.
Sources4
El expresidente mexicano aceptó un soborno de $100 millones por parte de 'El Chapo', aseguró un testigo
El Chapo Recaptured: Effect on the Peña Administration
Claim: Ex-Mexican President Took $100 Million Bribe From 'El Chapo'
Lawyer sends message to Peña Nieto after ex-security chief's arrest
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.