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Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán is scapegoat, says defence lawyer 'El Chapo' trial: Mexico presidents reject 'scapegoat' claims
(about 7 hours later)
The lawyer representing accused Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán at his trial in New York has claimed his client was a "scapegoat". Mexico's president and his predecessor have rejected allegations of bribe-taking made in the New York trial of drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
He said the real leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who was living openly in Mexico and had bribed the country's top politicians. Mr Guzmán's lawyer told the trial that his client was a "scapegoat".
President Enrique Peña Nieto and his predecessor Felipe Calderón issued statements denying this. He said the real leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada who was living openly in Mexico and bribing the "entire" government, including President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Both Mr Peña Nieto and his predecessor Felipe Calderón denied the claims.
Guzmán, 61, faces 17 charges and could be jailed for life if found guilty.Guzmán, 61, faces 17 charges and could be jailed for life if found guilty.
He was arrested in January 2016 after escaping from prison through a tunnel five months earlier.He was arrested in January 2016 after escaping from prison through a tunnel five months earlier.
Prosecutors say the Sinoala cartel is the biggest supplier of drugs to the US. Prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel is the biggest supplier of drugs to the US.
Key associates, including one of his former lieutenants, are expected to testify against Guzmán.Key associates, including one of his former lieutenants, are expected to testify against Guzmán.
The trial, which opened on Tuesday amid high security, is expected to last about four months.The trial, which opened on Tuesday amid high security, is expected to last about four months.
What did the defence lawyer say?What did the defence lawyer say?
Jeffrey Lichtman said about his client: "He's blamed for being the leader while the real leaders are living freely and openly in Mexico.Jeffrey Lichtman said about his client: "He's blamed for being the leader while the real leaders are living freely and openly in Mexico.
"In truth he controlled nothing. Mayo Zambada did.""In truth he controlled nothing. Mayo Zambada did."
The lawyer also said that Zambada had been left alone because he bribed everybody "including the very top, the current president of Mexico and the former".The lawyer also said that Zambada had been left alone because he bribed everybody "including the very top, the current president of Mexico and the former".
President Peña Nieto and Mr Calderón immediately rejected the accusation, with the latter calling it "absolutely false and reckless". President Peña Nieto and Mr Calderón immediately rejected the accusation, with the latter calling it "absolutely false and reckless".