By The Opinion
The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) determined that the appeal with which the defense of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán sought to denounce alleged violations of their human rights committed by United States authorities, by establishing that the amparo trial in Mexico only proceeds against acts of national authorities.
With this resolution, the highest court left firm the decision of lower instances that had already rejected the appeal, without entering into the substantive analysis of the accusations of the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.
The ministers concluded that they lack the power to review actions carried out abroad, making the challenge legally unfeasible.
According to the newspaper La Jornada, the Court rejected an appeal for review filed by lawyer Christian Camacho Ruiz against the refusal to grant protection and, since it is a final resolution, it does not admit any other means of defense.
In the shelter, Guzmán Loera’s defense pointed out crimes such as illegal deprivation of liberty, incommunication and irregular detention during his confinement in the United States.
The former legal leader was extradited and subsequently, in July 2019, he was sentenced by Judge Brian M. Cogan to life in prison plus an additional 30 years, as well as the confiscation of more than $12 billion for crimes related to drug trafficking.
At the moment He is serving his sentence at the maximum security federal prison ADX Florencein Colorado.
The defense argued that the Mexican State has the obligation to protect its citizens, even abroad, and investigate possible acts of torture or human rights violations. He also pointed out that the US judicial authorities and the prison system where he is being held were responsible.
However, both the judge and the court agreed that the amparo cannot be directed against foreign authorities, since Mexican courts do not have jurisdiction outside the national territory nor can they demand compliance with their resolutions in other countries.
Over the last few years, Guzmán Loera has denounced prison conditions that he considers excessivesuch as prolonged isolation, restrictions on communication with his defense and limitations on family visits.
However, these allegations have not changed his legal situation or the conditions of his sentence in the United States.
Keep reading:
– Operation Black Swan: 10 years since the last capture of Chapo Guzmán.
– Chapo Guzmán’s mental health is of concern due to extreme isolation, according to his lawyer.
