On July 25, 2024, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the world’s most wanted drug lord and co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of "El Chapo" Guzmán. Both criminals were apprehended by the FBI in Texas.
Zambada was known for his remarkable ability to avoid capture, effectively eluding authorities in both Mexico and the United States for many years. There are very few details about his physical appearance and only a handful of photographs taken years ago by one of Mexico’s most renowned journalists.
In 2010, journalist Julio Scherer received an invitation from Zambada to meet him. The message was straightforward, credible, and contained detailed instructions for the encounter. Zambada wanted to meet the journalist who had captured public attention.
Scherer contemplated the invitation. The meeting posed risks, not just to his personal safety, but also in terms of his professional integrity in reporting afterward. Ultimately, he accepted, motivated by his commitment to journalism.
Following the instructions he received, Scherer traveled and switched vehicles multiple times. He arrived at a house where he waited anxiously overnight for the next instructions. The following morning, he received a new directive and set out in several cars until he finally reached Zambada’s hideout.
Zambada welcomed him for breakfast, flanked by heavily armed bodyguards. In Scherer’s account, published in the magazine Proceso, he described Zambada as approximately 1.80 meters tall, wearing a cap, sporting a mustache, and having a slight belly—details that matched the photographs taken during their meeting.
During their conversation, Zambada revealed he was a fan of Scherer’s books and considered him the only journalist who did not lie: “You do not lie… Everyone lies, even Proceso. Your magazine is the first; it reports more than all, but it also lies.”
They discussed various topics, including drug trafficking, "El Chapo," wealth amassed by drug lords, and Zambada’s biggest fear: capture. He confided to Scherer that if he were ever caught, he would take his own life. Fourteen years after their meeting and the iconic photographs taken then, Zambada was finally caught in the U.S.
There are many theories regarding Zambada’s capture, with some suggesting that Guzmán López deceived him into traveling, ultimately leading to the FBI’s successful arrest. Further details surrounding this significant event are expected to be revealed soon.
Julio Scherer García was a highly regarded figure in Mexican journalism, known for his commitment to freedom of expression and journalistic independence. He began his career at the newspaper Excélsior, quickly rising to become its editor in 1968.
During Scherer’s tenure, Excélsior adopted a critical stance towards the government, resulting in clashes with authorities. This critical posture culminated in a governmental coup in 1976, which led to his removal as editor.
After leaving Excélsior, Scherer founded Proceso in 1976, a pivotal investigative magazine that has remained influential in Mexico. Under his leadership, Proceso focused on issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, and the misuse of power, maintaining its editorial independence despite numerous political and economic pressures.
Scherer also authored several notable books addressing various political and social realities in Mexico. His most well-known works include La reina del Pacífico: es la hora de contar and Los presidentes, along with several interview-based books that provide in-depth insights into power dynamics and influential figures within Mexico.
The legacy of Julio Scherer continues to inspire generations of journalists in Mexico and Latin America, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of contemporary journalism.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2024/07/26/esta-es-la-historia-detras-de-la-unicas-buenas-fotos-que-existen-de-el-mayo-zambada/
