Ep 20. El Chapo's Son: the Siege of Culiacan

On the 17th of October 2019, the world was watching a news segment that seemed like a scene from a war movie. The footage showed heavily armed gunmen in the streets of Culiacan, Mexico and blazing gunfire illuminating the night sky. The government had captured Ovidio Guzmán López, one of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's sons, but within hours, they had to release him back into the hands of the Sinaloa cartel. The Weekly season 1, episode 20, "El Chapo's Son: The Siege of Culiacan," covers this incident in-depth, discussing the implications of the free pass given to drug cartels as well as the role of the United States in Mexico's war on drugs.

The Weekly presents a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the siege of Culiacan. It begins by giving context to the Guzmán family and highlights the significance of drug cartels in Mexico's economy. The episode explores how the Sinaloa cartel's influence and power had been growing in the shadows for years, slowly taking over government institutions and law enforcement agencies, making their capture or arrest virtually impossible.

The situation had gotten so out of hand that the Mexican government was forced to create a special unit- the General Attorney's Office, or FGR- charged with taking down El Chapo's empire. The episode explains how the FGR began investigating the Guzmán family and their associates and finally, how this led to an operation to capture Ovidio Guzmán López in Culiacan. The operation would be the catalyst for the events that followed— a city under siege by cartel gunmen and the release of their prized asset.

The Weekly documents the reactions of residents of Culiacan as they recall the chaos that erupted that night. The city was on lockdown. Schools were canceled, and people were told to stay home. Gunshots were ringing out all night, and people could hear explosions reverberating throughout the city. While the Sinaloa cartel operated with terrifying impunity, the police and the army were caught off guard and overwhelmed.

The episode highlights the role of the United States in the Mexican drug war. The majority of the weapons used by the cartel, as well as the money laundering channels, come from the United States. The Weekly argues that as much as the Mexican government is responsible for the failed state of its security apparatus, the United States, a massive consumer of illicit drugs, is a key facilitator of the drug war. The failure of the United States and Mexico to cooperate has only made it more difficult to end the drug cartels' influence in Mexico and American lives.

As the episode approaches its conclusion, The Weekly asks the fundamental question: Was the release of Ovidio Guzmán López by the Mexican government a surrender to the Sinaloa cartel? The episode looks at it from different angles and concludes that while the government may have let go of a strategic opportunity, it also saved the lives of innocent people who were caught in the crossfire. However, it also admits that the repercussions of such a decision will be felt for years and will impact the future of the country's war on drugs.

In conclusion, "El Chapo's Son: The Siege of Culiacan" episode of The Weekly is a disturbing account of how cartels have penetrated the heart of Mexico's security apparatus, revealing the government's difficulty to subvert their influence. It is a must-watch for people who want to understand the complexities of the Mexican drug war, how it impacts innocent lives on both sides of the border, and the need for both the United States and Mexican governments to take responsibility for their contributions to the ongoing crisis.