El Chapo (Shorty Guzman), also known as Joaquín Guzmán, is probably the most wanted criminal in the Americas, if not the world. On top of that, he is considered by the United States to be the top drug kingpin in Mexico ever since the capture and arrest of his rival Osiel Cárdenas back in 2003. He is believed one of the most dangerous cartel leaders and the head of one of the most dangerous organized cartels called the Sinaloa Cartel also known as the Oil Barons. In Mexico they actually control the regions of Baja California, Durango, Sonora and Chihuahua.
How? Firstly, through the influx of money, they get from selling and distributing drugs such as heroin and cocaine throughout the Americas. We demand drugs, they supply. Insightful crime has also reported that the cartel is heavily linked to nineteen gas stations that also gives them a sizable income. ( This is probably where the name the Oil Barons came from.) Secondly, the support of the people whom they take care of. If El Chapo grew up near you and you were his neighbor, you would probably be in his good graces because you grew up in a similar situation as he did. You would be part of his Sinaloa State. The problem is regardless of the good he does, how he gets his money is still wrong.
This drug lord who broke out of two prisons, Guatemala back in 2001 in a laundry basket, and Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1 in 2015 by means of tunnel his men constructed, has a track record of silencing anybody who speaks out against him and paints him as anything other than the people’s protector. Back during his first escape, it was reported that a prison guard who actually was going to speak out against El Chapo was silenced or, as we say, taken care of. He is much like his powerful Columbian predecessor Pablo Escobar_ the drug lord who nearly monopolized on the illegal cocaine smuggling routes to America but only experienced a short reign before the Columbian authorities started to really crack down on drug smuggling. Pablo bought his power and what he could not buy, he killed much like the cardinal he assassinated. El Chapo shares the same aspirations in Mexico but it is much more difficult due to the power and influence of the United States Government for one and the growing need for the Mexican Government to give a good image its counterparts.
This is what brings me to my next point. Power in all reality cannot be bought; it must be earned and legitimate power cannot be tainted with corruption or else it will wither and die. El Chapo represents an illegitimate power in Mexico because he does not abide by the law of the land. Again, despite the good he aspires to, any support, particularly financial support, is tainted because it is drug money.
Kate del Castillo, a famous Mexican actress who played as a drug lord in her film "La Reina del Sur,” just happened to meet the famous El Chapo a few months before he was captured. The thing, she said, frightened her was that she was afraid to say something that would offend him or otherwise get her killed in so many words but she did say something and this is probably what got El Chapo caught. In so many words she asked him why he did use his power and influence for something good. Perhaps he wanted to. He wanted to do something goo that was not tainted with his past dealings. That may be why he got caught but in a little time, after he is extradited to United States, we may never know.
