No Death Penalty: Why the DOJ Is Sparing El Mayo and What’s Next for the Cartel Trials episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 7, 2025 · 23 MIN

No Death Penalty: Why the DOJ Is Sparing El Mayo and What’s Next for the Cartel Trials

from Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc · host IRONCLAD

On today’s episode, Katarina discusses: the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the 17 charges he faces in U.S. federal court. Also in focus: the DOJ’s decision not to pursue the death penalty for Zambada, Rafael Caro Quintero, and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes—opening the door to plea deals and potential cooperation. Plus, updates on Ovidio Guzmán López’s guilty plea and what these developments could mean for future cartel prosecutions. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Katarina discusses: the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the 17 charges he faces in U.S. federal court. Also in focus: the DOJ’s decision not to pursue the death penalty for Zambada, Rafael Caro Quintero, and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes—opening the door to plea deals and potential cooperation. Plus, updates on Ovidio Guzmán López’s guilty plea and what these developments could mean for future cartel prosecutions. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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No Death Penalty: Why the DOJ Is Sparing El Mayo and What’s Next for the Cartel Trials

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This episode is 23 minutes long.

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This episode was published on August 7, 2025.

What is this episode about?

On today’s episode, Katarina discusses: the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the 17 charges he faces in U.S. federal court. Also in focus: the DOJ’s decision not to pursue the death penalty for Zambada, Rafael Caro...

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