El Chapo ‘Checked Out’ of Prison: Cartel Expert

In an interview with FOX Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo, ‘The Cartel’ author Don Winslow discussed why he believes the Mexican government is protecting El Chapo.

“Chapo and his organization, the Sinaloa Cartel have had a cozy relationship with the Mexican government since at least 2001, so this is nothing new. The Mexican government blocked extradition two weeks before the so-called escape, that’s the second thing. Meaning their protecting Chapo -- Chapo does not want to be in a United States prison. And three: the Mexican government refused our offer of help for resources in finding El Chapo… When you look at those three things it tells an unfortunate story,” he said.

Winslow said he believes the Mexican government helped El Chapo escape.

“He checked out of this prison… I’ve had a harder time checking out of hotels… It’s inconceivable that they weren’t [complicit in helping El Chapo escape]. If you look at a mile-long tunnel that took ten months to dig that came into a maximum security prison identical to the prison by the way that he escaped from in 2001, there’s no way that you don’t have complicity with the government,” he argued.

Winslow said the Mexican government benefits from El Chapo’s escape.

“His organization is now by far the most powerful drug cartel, and so that enforces a certain kind of peace in Mexico that they have been desperate to have for years.” he added.