What El Chapo’s life is like in prison today

• Joaquín Guzmán’s life in prison.
• He asks for help.
• He’s not treated the way he was in Mexico.

The word to describe what a drug trafficker’s life behind bars is like could be difficult. The former leader of the Sinaloa cartel doesn’t get any special privileges after being arrested and sentenced to life in prison in the United States. Today we tell you what El Chapo’s life in prison is like these days.

After the death of Osama bin Laden, Joaquín Guzmán Loera became the most wanted man in the United States and has even been compared to Al Capone. He came to be considered one of the biggest drug lords and was extradited and prosecuted in the US, where he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

What El Chapo’s life in prison is like

Guzmán’s recent calls to Loera revealed the conditions in which he currently lives. He’s only allowed visits from a few people, including his twin daughters. He doesn’t have amenities such as a television or correspondence, according to the Vlad TV report, prepared by journalist Nate Gartrell.

The drug trafficker denounced the «cruel and inhuman conditions of detention and permanent isolation that amounted to physical and psychological torture.» His lawyers stated that «he practically slept in a cell surrounded by four identical walls in a dark place without air.»

He’s compared to a caged animal

His cell measures 7 x 12 meters, is described as a concrete cage fit for a dog, and he receives his food through a hole in the door. El Chapo can only exercise two hours a week and cannot even have nail clippers for security reasons.

Another complaint is the language, which means, according to Chapo’s lawyer, that the guards only speak to him in English. They deny him access to Spanish learning programs and he only receives two 15-minute calls a month from his sister, his twins and their mother.

The government ignores El Chapo’s requests

The letter describing El Chapo’s conditions was presented a month ago, but his requests were denied. It seems there isn’t much compassion for Joaquín Guzmán Loera, and the legal system is making it obvious through these complaints that El Chapo details.

His health is suffering

El Chapo stated that he also suffered several accidents with guards ignoring his health issues, such as his complaint in 2021 that he suffered from a cough and chest congestion but did not receive medical help. He also recounted a time when he didn’t get what he needed to treat toenail fungus, to the point that one of his toenails fell off.

Guzmán added that he had trouble sleeping due to the “hot” air coming out of the vents, which affects his blood pressure. He told all this to his lawyers who shared it with the media.

He’s desperate

Since the letter was sent on May 12, El Chapo has only received requests to process his information when a hearing can be scheduled for July 7. However, this was the only response they gave him, and his lawyers were ignored when they asked for protection for the leader of the Sinaloa cartel.

This is how El Chapo currently lives in prison, his complaints will not be prioritized no matter how big or powerful he used to be, today he is just another man who is deprived of his liberty and who is paying with a harsh sentence.