Clarification on AMLO’s Incorrect Statement About The Source of the La Barbie News

 ”Socalj” for Borderland Beat

During two consecutive morning press conferences, the President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) stated that the information first came from the Milenio news site. AMLO believes the information was leaked by a US agency, as no one would be keeping up with the status of various inmates in the registry.

“It caught my attention that suddenly in a newspaper, and exclusively, it was made known that he was no longer in the prisoner registry. Who is reviewing the list of millions of prisoners? Well, nobody, this was a leak, that’s what you need to know, that public life is increasingly public, to know all this.” Stated AMLO.

In fact, it was our team here, at Borderland Beat, that first brought to light the current detention status of Edgar Valdez-Villarreal in regard to his custody in the US Federal Bureau of Prisons here. An anonymous online source alerted us to the change in the custody status of the prisoner that was sentenced to nearly 50 years back in 2018. This information was verified via the publicly available online BOP Inmate Locator website. There are several possible reasons for this change as he was previously shown as being held at USP Coleman II. Most likely, based on the timing and his past cooperation with US authorities; “La Barbie” is likely now in protective custody cooperating in the trial against Genaro Garcia Luna.

Recently, Luna’s request to have his charges dismissed was denied. Earlier in 2022, records revealed that Garcia Luna had threatened journalists and conspired to have killed several witnesses against him. So if “La Barbie” is in fact set to testify against Luna, his safety in protective custody would be paramount.

Statement from AMLO’s Press Conference on 11/30/2022

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: And we are constantly vigilant so that they are not responsible for crimes because they can be arrested and they leave. Look at what is happening in the United States, it is strange with this Mr. Villarreal, that someone announces that he is no longer in the prisoner registry and we want to know where he is, and the query has been made and there is no precision on the subject, but we are going to continue asking for information.

QUESTION: Are there arrest warrants against ‘Barbie’?

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: Yes, here, but the issue is the United States.

INTERLOCUTOR: But is that if it comes out, you would have to deliver it to Mexico (inaudible), that’s right, right?

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: Yes, but there have been cases where extraditions have even been carried out, also with sentences of many years, and there they make arrangements and they no longer return, they are released.

INTERLOCUTOR: But, then, do you have to deliver it or not, in the event that it comes out?

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: You don’t have to leave, because the sentence is for many years, as long as there is an agreement.

INTERLOCUTOR: If there is an agreement, would you have to deliver it to Mexico, and return it to Mexico?

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: Oh, if the agreement is reached, in any case, we would have to act, if there are complaints in Mexico.

INTERVENTION: But you say that there are complaints in Mexico.

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: Well, we must act.

INTERVENTION: And when does he appear lost?

PRESIDENT ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR: Well, I think the United States government has to clarify it as soon as possible.

It caught my attention that suddenly in a newspaper, and exclusively, it was made known that he was no longer in the prisoner registry. Who is reviewing the list of millions of prisoners? Well, nobody, this was a leak, that’s what you need to know, that public life is increasingly public, to know all this.

Very well.