Ken Salazar calls capture of El Mayo a US‑Mexico security win

Ken Salazar, former United States ambassador to Mexico, said the recent capture of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada should be viewed as a victory for both the United States and Mexico in the fight against cartel‑related violence. He stressed that the aircraft used to transport Zambada to the United States two years ago was not a U.S. government plane and warned against politicising the issue, urging a focus on public safety. Salazar quoted, “La verdad es la verdad,” and added that the capture “should be considered a victory of both nations.” He highlighted ongoing security cooperation, cited violence in Sinaloa and Tamaulipas, recalled a past incident where cartel members pointed a rifle at an embassy vehicle, and expressed confidence in Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and security secretary Omar García Harfuch. Salazar also affirmed his support for the United States‑Mexico‑Canada trade agreement, calling for a durable, modern border.

The remarks were made during a virtual press conference announcing the Spanish edition of his book “Fronteras, mi lucha por una América unida.”