The State Department warned Monday that the United States and the rest of the world would be watching to ensure officials who just recaptured drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman Loera stays in prison, and isn’t allowed to escape for the third time.
“Certainly, we’ve made our concerns known to Mexican authorities about the dangers posed by this particular individual,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said Monday. “And I think it’s safe to assume, and for me to tell you, that they understand that the world is watching on how this case moves forward and that this individual needs to stay behind bars.”
Guzman, known as “El Chapo,” escaped twice from Mexican authorities. The last time was in July, when he escaped from prison through a long tunnel, and Mexico is keeping him in that same prison now.
The Obama administration is hoping Guzman can eventually be extradited to the United States, where he would face drug and murder charges. When asked whether the U.S. can trust Mexico to hold Guzman that long, Kirby said the U.S. has made it clear to Mexico how important it is to succeed.
“I think that certainly given what happened with him, I think it’s safe to assume that Mexican authorities know what they need to do to make sure he stays behind bars,” Kirby said. “We want to see him behind bars.”
“I’m not an expert on Mexican prisons, but again, I think it’s safe to assume, they understand what this gentleman is capable of, and will do what they need to do to keep him behind bars,” he added.
“It’s certainly our hope and our expectation that he will remain behind bars,” he added. “I don’t speak for Mexican authorities on how they’re going to ensure that remains the case.”
