Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán , the former leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and one of the world’s most notorious drug traffickers, has been incarcerated in the United States since 2019. After a dramatic legal saga that saw him repeatedly elude Mexican authorities, El Chapo was finally sentenced to life in prison in July 2019. He was found guilty on dozens of charges, including drug trafficking, murder, and leading a criminal syndicate.
1. Confinement in ADX Florence
Since his conviction, El Chapo has been held in ADX Florence , one of the highest security prisons in the US, located in Colorado. Also known as the “Supermax”, the prison is notorious for its extreme security measures and houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. Inmates at ADX Florence often spend up to 23 hours a day in isolation, without direct contact with other prisoners. For El Chapo, who was known for his spectacular prison escapes in Mexico, this seems to be the most foolproof solution to prevent him from trying to escape again.
2. His Health and Mental Condition
Concerns have been raised about El Chapo’s physical and mental state in Supermax prison. According to his lawyers, he is being held in “extreme isolation,” without significant human interaction or access to the outdoors, which is said to be affecting his health. His family and legal team have repeatedly complained about the harsh conditions in which he is being held. It has been suggested that El Chapo is suffering mentally under these conditions, with increasing feelings of depression and disorientation due to the continued isolation.
3. El Chapo’s Influence After His Incarceration
Although El Chapo is physically out of action, his influence within the criminal world is still felt. His family, particularly his sons, known as “Los Chapitos ,” are said to have taken control of parts of the Sinaloa Cartel. The cartel remains one of the most influential and powerful criminal organizations in the global drug trade, despite internal fighting and rivalries with other cartels such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
In addition, Emma Coronel Aispuro , his wife, plays a role in maintaining media attention around his case. Although she herself was arrested and convicted in 2021 for her involvement in the cartel’s activities, the Guzmán family remains at the center of much speculation about the cartel’s future direction.
4. Conviction and Objections
El Chapo’s legal team has been actively pursuing an appeal against his conviction, challenging the fairness of his trial. They claim that the jury was biased by media attention and that he did not receive a fair trial. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful, and it appears that his life imprisonment is inevitable.
5. Life Imprisonment
At this point, it looks like Joaquín Guzmán will spend the rest of his life in the ADX Florence, with no chance of release. However, his case remains a symbol of the long-term fight against organized crime, and his name will likely be linked to the world of Mexican drug cartels for years to come.
El Chapo, once one of the most powerful men in the world, now finds himself in a small cell, far removed from the tumult and riches of his days as a cartel leader. His story remains one of the most talked-about rise and fall stories in the world of organized crime.
