US denies extradition of El Mayo Zambada; the boss accepted a life sentence

The former United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, stated that during his administration he did not receive information about alleged payments from collaborators of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada to the licensed governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, or other state officials.

In an interview with journalist Ilia Calderón for the N+Univision program Esta Semana, the diplomat denied having support for the allegations made by the alleged criminal leader after his capture. Salazar addressed the issue in the context of the publication of his book “Borderlands. My fight for an inclusive America.”

The former official revealed that he unsuccessfully tried to contact former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to clarify that the United States had no prior knowledge or authorized operations in Mexico during Zambada’s transfer.

When questioned about the statements of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who suggested that Salazar lied, the diplomat defended his position by stating that the truth must guide the future of the bilateral relationship. Finally, he reiterated the need to strengthen the alliance of mutual trust between both countries to work in a coordinated manner on security.

Fraud in a funeral home in Ciudad Juárez

The Northern Zone District Prosecutor’s Office confirmed this Monday the connection to the process of the company Sistema a Futuro Premiere S. A. de C. V., known as Funeraria Protecto Deco, for the crime of fraud. The case occurred in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

The Public Ministry, through the Specialized Unit in Crimes against Peace, Safety of People and Public Faith, presented evidence that proves the probable responsibility of the morality represented by Dalila G. H. and/or Fernando Q. O.

Ashes that did not belong to the family member

The victims contracted the funeral service with Protecto Deco and received the ashes of their relative’s body. However, later, at the Prosecutor’s Office facilities, they were informed that the body of their loved one was found in the “Plenitud” crematorium. 386 uncremated remains were found there on June 26, 2026.

The investigation showed that undue profits were obtained through deception, causing financial detriment to the victims.

Deadline for further investigations

The Control Judge set a period of three months for complementary investigations.

The reasons behind legal forgiveness

Surprisingly, María Felicia Jiménez Lavie granted legal forgiveness to her husband, Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former director of Pemex who was facing a trial for attacks at home.

The forgiveness was formalized through a document presented before the Control Judge, Adriana Correa Ortiz. Jiménez Lavie, an engineer of Cuban origin, expressed her desire to stop the judicial files in Morelos and Mexico City. He argued that he seeks to avoid the emotional exhaustion of his minor children and that he has achieved a genuine reconciliation.

The decision took both the Prosecutor’s Office and the defense by surprise. The evidence in the case had recently been strengthened, including a video spread on social networks that showed the physical assault that occurred last March within a subdivision of the municipality of Emiliano Zapata.

In the document, the victim indicated that continuing with the criminal investigation against her will would represent institutional revictimization, damaging the stability and dynamics of her family unit. Given this withdrawal, the judge set a hearing for this Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., in which Jiménez Lavie must formally appear to recognize his signature and ratify the writing.

If the legal procedure is completed, the former federal official would obtain his immediate release from prison to continue the process in freedom. The decision is based on the criterion of privileging the harmonious development and unity of the home.