Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Judge says no to El Chapo’s request for a hug before trial begins

A federal judge in the United States has ruled that former drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán cannot enjoy a hug with his wife before his trial begins next week.

U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan wrote that “the court is sympathetic to the request,” citing Guzmán’s “exemplary” conduct and “grace under pressure” during the proceedings so far, but ultimately ruled against it.

“Having conferred extensively with the U.S. Marshals Service about the defendant’s request, the court is constrained to deny it. The marshals have stressed that acceding to the request would be contrary to all the security procedures that have been put in place.”

The judge said the denial was meant to prevent Guzmán from co-ordinating an escape “or directing any attack on individuals who might be cooperating with the government.”

Before Guzmán’s request was filed, his attorney warned that he might have a mental breakdown if he can’t have any physical contact with his spouse, Emma Coronel.

“It can be a brief embrace in open court with the courtroom railing between them. This entire process should not take more than a few seconds,” said Mariel Colón Miró. “The only human contact Mr. Guzmán has had since his extradition has been with the jail personnel when putting on and removing his shackles, and a quick handshake from his attorneys when he goes to court.”

Guzmán has been held in solitary confinement in New York for the last two years.

Guzmán has a reputation for being hard to hold in a jail cell. He has made two bold escapes from maximum-security penitentiaries in Mexico.

The former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was recaptured in January 2016 and extradited to the United States just over a year later.

Guzmán has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of drug trafficking, conspiracy, firearms offences and money laundering.

Source: Milenio (sp), New York Daily News (en)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Texas flooding

Mexico aids 30 citizens, celebrates heroic counselors following deadly Texas floods

0
The president said the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio is in communication with Mexican families affected by the floods and will visit shelters as soon as possible.
Anti-gentrification protest Mexico City

Hundreds protest gentrification in Mexico City’s Condesa and Roma neighborhoods

6
Most of the protesters were young people, including residents and former residents of inner-city Mexico City neighborhoods that have seen rents triple since the COVID-19 pandemic.
light phenomenon in the sky

NASA astronaut captures glimpse of mysterious ‘sprite’ over Mexico

0
The atmospheric phenomenon is rarely seen from the ground. But astronauts on the International Space Station have the best seat in the universe, especially when hovering over Mexican skies.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity