Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum "Not Worried" About 'El Mayo' Zambada's Guilty Plea

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that her government is "not worried" about the guilty plea entered by Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the legendary leader of the Sinaloa cartel, in a U.S. federal court. She emphasized that any allegations involving Mexico must be supported by evidence and addressed through the country's judicial institutions.

Speaking during her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum was asked directly whether her administration feared what Zambada might reveal as part of his plea deal in Brooklyn. She responded bluntly with "No. We are not worried. Whatever he might say, if it concerns Mexico, it must be supported by evidence and approved by the Attorney General's Office. There is a procedure."

Local outlets such as Nación321 highlighted that Sheinbaum repeated the phrase "we are not worried," insisting that nothing said in a U.S. courtroom would carry weight in Mexico unless it was accompanied by hard proof. The president also underlined that Mexico has not received any new information from U.S. authorities since Zambada's plea became public.

"They have not delivered new information to the Attorney General's Office, to the Security Ministry, or to the Foreign Ministry. We will wait," she said.

Zambada, 77, stood before a federal judge in Brooklyn and pleaded guilty to leading the Sinaloa cartel, admitting to overseeing drug shipments worth billions of dollars. The man long considered a phantom figure in organized crime is now scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2026.

"I created a criminal network that I led, called the Sinaloa cartel," said Zambada during the hearing in New York City. El Mayo estimated he trafficked 1.5 million kilos of cocaine during his career, "most of which went to the U.S."

Federal prosecutors had anticipated his change of plea to encompass at least two serious counts: racketeering conspiracy and running a continuing criminal enterprise. Though the exact number of charges remains unstated, some sources suggest he faces upward of 17 charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking, firearms violations, and money laundering.

Sheinbaum emphasized that her government will not act on speculation, rumors, or political pressure. Any testimony Zambada provides in the United States must be evaluated through the proper legal channels in Mexico.

"Anything related to our country must go through evidence, through institutions, and through due process," she said.

Her comments appear designed to calm speculation that Zambada's plea could implicate current or former Mexican officials. Instead, Sheinbaum has placed the burden squarely on U.S. authorities to share verifiable information if any allegations touch Mexico.