Key Facts
—What happened. The FBI told a records requester it holds files on the 25 July 2024 arrival of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López near El Paso, Texas, but will not release them.
—Legal basis. The bureau cited the personal-privacy exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6) and (b)(7)(C), under request number 1679203-001.
—Sentence. Zambada, 76, was sentenced on Monday 20 July 2026 to life in prison and agreed to forfeit US$15 billion.
—Mexico. Mexico’s attorney general’s office has also reserved part of its file for five years, until 2031.
—Prediction markets. No active Polymarket or Kalshi market covers this story (checked 20 October 2026, 2:25 a.m. ET).
—Power Index Mexico ranks 2nd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 71.4 points (October 2026 edition).
The FBI has confirmed that it holds records on the July 2024 arrest of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, but it refuses to release them, citing privacy law. The refusal leaves unanswered how a man who says he was kidnapped in Mexico ended up in US custody.
For US readers, the case concerns the leader of a cartel that the US Justice Department blames for fentanyl and cocaine reaching American towns, and it tests how far US agencies must explain their role in cross-border operations. Our Mexico page follows the story.
FBI Cites Privacy Exemptions
Journalist Ioan Grillo made the FBI’s reply public on 19 October 2026. The FBI told researcher Joseph Hefferon that records exist but that releasing third-party files would be an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy”.
The request, number 1679203-001, was titled “Arrest of Ismael Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez (On or After July 25th, 2024)”. The letter says the requester can challenge the decision through the usual administrative appeal.
What Is Known About the Arrest
Zambada and Guzmán López, a son of jailed cartel founder Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, arrived at a small airport near El Paso, Texas, on 25 July 2024. Al Jazeera reports the airstrip is at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on the edge of the Texas city, although the FBI letter names no airport.
Zambada’s lawyers say he was ambushed by men in military-style uniforms, handcuffed, and taken to the United States against his will. US officials have not published records of how the transfer happened, and the FBI letter does not identify the aircraft, pilot or agents.
Mexico Also Keeps Files Closed
Mexico’s attorney general’s office (FGR) reserved a file on the alleged pilot of the flight for five years, until 2031, after its transparency committee met on 19 August 2026. Reports say the office formalised its response on 21 August and cited an open investigation.
A separate transparency request asked for photographs, flight records and communications about the transfer. So far neither government has made that paper trail public.
Sentence and Legal Status
Zambada pleaded guilty in August 2025 to running a continuing criminal enterprise and to racketeering conspiracy, after the Justice Department agreed not to seek the death penalty. A federal court in New York sentenced him on Monday 20 July 2026 to life in prison.
He agreed to forfeit US$15 billion, and the forfeiture was part of his plea agreement. Life in federal prison means no early release for him.
What It Means for You
US readers who follow the fentanyl crisis should note that the dispute is about how the arrest was carried out, not about Zambada’s guilt. He has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced.
It is also a test of freedom-of-information law, because the same privacy exemptions can shield records in many cross-border cases. The requester may now appeal the decision.
What Is Not Known
The FBI has not said how many records exist or what they contain. It has not disclosed who flew the aircraft or whether US officials helped arrange the transfer.
No court challenge to the FBI’s decision had been reported as of 20 October 2026. Neither the FBI nor the Mexican government has commented on the latest denial in the reports we reviewed.
Sources
Zeta Tijuana · Al Jazeera · El Imparcial · SDP Noticias
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the FBI say about the El Mayo records?
The FBI confirmed it holds records about the arrest but refused to release them, citing the privacy exemptions in 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6) and (b)(7)(C). It said the requester had not shown that public interest outweighed privacy.
Where was El Mayo Zambada arrested?
He arrived at a small airport near El Paso, Texas, on 25 July 2024, and Al Jazeera places the airstrip at Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The FBI letter does not name the airport.
What sentence did Zambada receive?
A federal court in New York sentenced him to life in prison on Monday 20 July 2026. He agreed to forfeit US$15 billion.
Is it known how Zambada got to the United States?
It is disputed. His lawyers say he was ambushed and taken against his will, and neither government has published records of the flight.