Joaquín Archivaldo “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera is currently spending his days at the Metropolitan Correctional Center of New York, which Los Angeles Times called the “Guantanamo of New York.” The Mexican drug lord, who once was surrounded by minions calling him “patrón,” must now spend about 23 hours a day isolated in his cell.
His cell is on the 10th floor of a building located in the center of Lower Manhattan. The prison is protected with steel barricades and has long-range HD cameras.
“He won’t have access to anyone but his attorney. It’s not like Mexico where the culture is different, and unfortunately, El Chapo can use his resources and millions,” Manuel Gómez, a security expert, told Telemundo.
Guzmán Loera escaped from Mexican prisons several times in the past. Most recently, in 2016, he fled through a tunnel dug from his cell right in front of a security camera.
El Chapo got charged with murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime, among others. Besides his criminal record, he achieved fame due to narcocorridos [narco ballads], and TV shows such as “The Day I Met El Chapo,” based on real facts about his meeting with Mexican actress, Kate del Castillo.
Guzmán Loera is waiting for his second court appearance in New York on February 3rd, 2018.
This article was inspired by Telemundo // La nueva vida del Chapo Guzmán en una prisión americana.