What Happened On January 19th?
In the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico, the Puente Grande prison was thought to be one of the most secure prisons in the world… But on January 19, 2001, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, notorious drug lord who made roughly $1 billion in drug money, made his move during in his 20-year sentence. Within the seemingly rigid walls, a meticulously orchestrated escape plan unfolded, and the prison was unexpectedly run by the Jalisco cartel.
Guzmán, known for his cunning and ruthlessness, had allegedly spent millions bribing prison guards and officials. His meticulously planned escape involved several key players: Francisco “El Chito” Camberos Rivera, a prison guard, and Javier Camberos, a maintenance worker.
In the pre-dawn hours, El Chito, with his guard duties conveniently forgotten, unlocked Guzmán’s cell. The notorious drug lord, who was the tenth richest man in Mexico at one point, then slipped into a laundry cart wheeled by Javier. The cart, laden with dirty sheets and towels, rolled through several checkpoints, each one seemingly blind to the fugitive hidden within.
Security cameras, crucial to any escape plan, were allegedly disabled by Guzmán’s accomplices. The laundry cart, carrying its surprising cargo, smoothly exited the prison gates, disappearing into the labyrinthine streets of Guadalajara.
Guzmán’s escape sparked a nationwide manhunt, sending shockwaves through Mexico and beyond. Authorities scrambled to piece together the details of the audacious escape, while speculation swirled about Guzmán’s whereabouts and how he could have so easily vanished.
The escape from Puente Grande marked a turning point in Guzmán’s life and became a legend in the annals of international crime. It solidified his reputation as a cunning and resourceful criminal, while also raising serious questions about corruption and security within Mexico’s prison system.
Guzmán remained on the run for 13 years, enjoying freedom and amassing even greater power, before being recaptured in 2014. Though he was serving a life sentence, he escaped again in 2015 for his third prison escape! However, he was captured again in 2016 and transported to the United States where he serves life in prison.
Questions, Comments, Concerns?
What do you think the guard was thinking when he escorted “El Chapo” through security checkpoints in a laundry basket?
And… Do you think he will plot another escape?
As always, let me know your thoughts down below!
