Mexican president likes drug lord's idea to return money
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's president says he favors the appeal of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman that his fortune be returned to Mexico.
In President Andres Manuel López Obrador's words: "I like the statement. Why should I say otherwise?"
Guzman reportedly told his relatives in a phone call from a U.S. prison that he wants the money to go to Mexico's impoverished indigenous communities.
López Obrador said Thursday he couldn't verify Guzman's statement. But the president does think Mexico has erred by allowing the U.S. to seize money in corruption and criminal cases against Mexican suspects.
U.S. officials have estimated Guzman's fortune at $14 billion and a judge ordered Guzman to pay $12.6 billion as part of his U.S. life sentence. But it's unclear how U.S. officials can get Guzman's money.
