Live
Audio Only
About a dozen people rallied in Mexico City's main square Zocalo in front of the presidencial palace Friday to express their support for the world's most infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, Mexican newspaper Reforma reported Saturday.
The demonstrators protested the alleged terrible conditions that the Sinaloa Cartel leader is living under at the maximum security jail where he is being held since his recapture Jan. 11.
Many of the protesters were teenagers who chose to cover their faces in order to not be identified, Reforma said.
The demonstrators waved banners with messages such as “Chapo, the youth supports you,” “I love El Chapo,,” and even one that said “El Chapo for President.”+
This is not the first time people come out in support for El Chapo. Two years ago, in two Sinaloan cities, including the capital Culiacan, hundreds of people rallied in support of the drug trafficker demanding he not be extradited to the United States. About 216 people were arrested.
Simultaneously this Friday, family members, lawyers and supporters of El Chapo protested outside the maximum security prison where the drug kingpin is being held, claiming authorities were depriving him of sleep as a form of torture.
The small group included Guzman's sister Bernarda, who said her brother was being punished for escaping from the prison in 2014.
"They are angry because he got out, but anybody, even an irrational animal, would seek their freedom. He didn't hurt anybody," Bernarda, who is rarely seen at public events, told reporters.
Prison authorities deny any inhumane treatment of Guzman, and said he was in good health.
Newsletter
