History Daily – Episode 1289

"The Capture of Drug Lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán"

Release Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Lindsay Graham

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Lindsay Graham revisits the dramatic story of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s third and final capture on January 8, 2016. Through gripping narrative storytelling, Graham outlines El Chapo’s meteoric rise as Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, his legendary prison escapes, and the relentless manhunt that ended his criminal reign. The episode sheds light on the impact of El Chapo’s criminal empire, the cross-border pursuit by Mexican and U.S. authorities, and the lasting consequences of his downfall for the international drug trade.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Scene: The Final Escape Attempt

Timestamp: 01:08

• The episode opens with a tense recount of El Chapo’s attempted escape from a police raid on a safe house in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
• Graham describes El Chapo quick-thinking use of a secret hatch into the underground sewer system, showing his notorious resourcefulness:
  • "Adrenaline floods through his body...he creeps toward a window to look outside, but a burst of gunfire makes him jump back." [01:10]
• Guzmán and his lieutenant Orso Iván Gastélum escape through filthy tunnels and steal a taxi, confident they've dodged capture again.

2. Criminal Origins & Rise to Power

Timestamp: 06:51

• Flashback to November 1993, in Puente Grande maximum security prison, with El Chapo receiving a 20-year sentence for drug trafficking and bribery.
• Despite incarceration, El Chapo bribes guards and continues running his cartel from inside, ultimately becoming its leader in 1995.
• The narrative covers the brutal turf war with the Tijuana cartel and the infamous murder of the Archbishop of Guadalajara, highlighting the scope of violence fuelling El Chapo’s reputation.
• Notable quote on corruption and power in prison:
  • "Joaquin knows from his experience running a drug operation that there's always somebody willing to accept a bribe. And a maximum security prison is no different." [07:35]

3. First Daring Prison Escape

Timestamp: 08:36

• The Supreme Court of Mexico’s 2001 extradition ruling threatens El Chapo’s position, prompting him to escape Puente Grande.
• Details remain murky: "Some claim he was smuggled out in a laundry hamper. Others say he simply walked out as guards looked the other way." [08:54]
• Once on the outside, Guzmán intensifies his control with ruthless violence—assassinating rivals, silencing threats, and growing the Sinaloa cartel into North America's richest drug empire.

4. International Manhunt and ‘Folk Hero’ Status

Timestamp: 13:26

• The United States escalates efforts, declaring El Chapo Public Enemy Number 1 with a $7 million reward and deploying the Kingpin Act to sanction cartel associates.
• Graham notes El Chapo’s celebrity status in some Mexican communities:
  • "For many Mexicans, Joaquin's ability to evade capture turned him into a sort of folk hero. He became the subject of songs and ballads, and many see him as a modern-day Robin Hood..." [13:44]

5. Capture, Ingenious Tunnel Escape, and Renewed Manhunt

Timestamp: 14:57

• Details the 2014 capture (after an escape to Mazatlan), followed by his infamous 2015 escape via a mile-long tunnel dug beneath his cell:
  • "They evade prison authorities by digging over 10 yards underground ... breaking into Joaquin's cell underneath the shower, the only place not covered by security cameras." [15:35]
• El Chapo grows bolder—meeting with celebrities like Sean Penn—yet remains hunted, pushing his luck to the edge.

6. The Final Raid and Arrest

Timestamp: 19:14

• Graham reconstructs the events of January 8, 2016:
  • 22 agencies from Mexico and the U.S. converge on a Los Mochis safe house after tracking El Chapo’s movements.
  • A Sinaloa guard’s alert initiates a firefight; some Marines are tasked with intercepting Guzmán at presumed tunnel exits.
  • Guzmán and Gastélum steal a second car, but a faulty engine leads to their capture soon after.
  • "But the Marines get a lucky break. The second stolen vehicle has an engine problem and Joaquin doesn't get far." [20:10]
• After capture, Guzmán is ultimately extradited to the U.S., convicted on all counts, and sentenced to life in a Colorado supermax prison.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On El Chapo’s prison corruption skills:
  • "There's always somebody willing to accept a bribe. And a maximum security prison is no different." (Lindsay Graham, [07:35])
• On El Chapo’s ruthless rule:
  • "Members of other cartels are gunned down in the streets. Mexican police and investigators who get too close are also killed. And in total, tens of thousands of people are murdered as a result of Joaquin's ruthless tactics." (Lindsay Graham, [09:23])
• On his folk hero status:
  • "He became the subject of songs and ballads, and many see him as a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing money from the rich and spending it in local communities." (Lindsay Graham, [13:44])
• On extradition and justice:
  • "Later, Joaquin is extradited to the United States and charged with a litany of crimes ... convicted on all counts and sentenced to life in prison in a Colorado supermax." (Lindsay Graham, [20:36])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening narrative and escape setup: 01:08 – 03:42
• First prison experiences and rise: 06:51 – 09:50
• First escape and cartel violence: 08:36 – 10:50
• U.S. manhunt and international pressure: 13:26 – 14:57
• 2014 capture and 2015 tunnel escape: 14:57 – 17:00
• Final manhunt and raid: 19:14 – 21:30

Tone & Narrative Style

Lindsay Graham delivers the episode in his signature dramatic, immersive narrative—balancing fast-paced action with moments of tense reflection. The episode is factual but vivid, capturing both the danger and the intrigue behind the pursuit of one of history’s most notorious criminals.

Summary

This episode presents a riveting, detailed account of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's criminal saga—charting his evolution from enterprising cartel underling to legendary escape artist and folk antihero, before finally documenting his stunning downfall. Graham situates El Chapo’s story within the broader context of U.S.-Mexico relations and the ongoing war on drugs, blending suspenseful storytelling with insightful commentary on the systems—corrupt and otherwise—that enabled El Chapo's decades-long rule.

For listeners new to the case or seasoned history buffs, this episode stands as both an informative primer and a gripping true crime retelling of the life and capture of El Chapo.