Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman’s Recapture — Social Media Question Authenticity

By KJ Mariño First Posted: Jan 09, 2016 06:00 AM EST

Social media are currently running abuzz with reports, reactions and memes about the recapture of the world's most dangerous drug cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The news came after Mexican President Peña Nieto took to Twitter on Friday, Jan. 8, and announced El Chapo's recapture, six months after his controversial jailbreak from Altiplano maximum prison.

In July, the whole world was stunned after reports emerged that Mexico's most powerful and deadly drug trafficking operations kingpin El Chapo had escaped from a maximum-security prison, which was located west of Mexico City. Based on previous reports, the Sinaloa cartel boss crawled through a hole and disappeared through a mile-long tunnel, which was allegedly built just for him.

Dubbed as the "jailbreak of the millennium," the Mexican government offered a $3.8 million reward as El Chapo's bounty on his head. The said reward will be awarded to whoever has information that will lead to the world's biggest mafia boss' recapture. But today, Peña Nieto proudly announced El Chapo's recapture, NBC News noted.

"Misión cumplida: lo tenemos," the Mexican president tweeted. "Quiero informar a los mexicanos que Joaquín Guzmán Loera ha sido detenido." (In English: "Mission accomplished: we have him. I want to inform Mexicans Joaquin Guzman Loera has been arrested.")

Following the announcement, several social media platforms were flooded by reactions, which were a combination of humor and cynicism about the Mexican government's role in his recapture as well as his effortless and elaborate escape in 2015. Some Twitter users also questioned the authenticity of the news, tweeting phrases, "No photos, no proof" and "lies like always." Netizens also posted interesting feedbacks on Twitter and Instagram with hashtag #ElChapo.

Despite the doubts circulating El Chapo's recapture, Peña Nieto emphasized that the arrest of Mexico's most-wanted drug lord was a "victory for the rule of law." The president also added that Mexicans could still have confidence in the nation's capability to fight crime. According to BBC News, Guzman was captured after a shoot-out with Mexican marines in his hometown, Sinaloa's coastal city of Los Mochis, situated in northwest Mexico. Five of El Chapo's bodyguards were reportedly killed in the raid. While one marine was wounded in the bloody confrontation.

"There is no group that it is impossible to confront," Peña Nieto said.

Meanwhile, at least three jurisdictions in the United States have indicted El Chapo on murder, drug smuggling and related charges, New York Post has learned. In Brooklyn, he was indicted in 2014 for reportedly laundering $14 million and ordering multiple killings, kidnappings and torture assaults. Apart from Brooklyn, the Department of Justice's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the federal prosecutors in Florida also want him.

For various social media reactions and memes, see below.

So I guess they "caught" #ElChapo, I give it a good 2 or 3 months before he escapes

— Vanessa Macias (@Nessa_TheBoss) January 9, 2016

I won't believe El Chapo is in captivity until he's in an American prison. #ElChapo — Alfonso Garcia (@FonziGarcia) January 9, 2016

#elchapo is Mexico's answer to the #Kardashians. Just can't get enough bullshit, can you Raza?? #NoOneCares

— Ricardo Luis Canez (@Ricky_M44) January 9, 2016

Mexican Government is all about the show with showing #elchapo . Seriously you stopped the novelas for this? He is going to escape MX again. — Avina82 (@angel24909304) January 9, 2016

More details are emerging on how #ElChapo's capture went down. https://t.co/HbV7TovZkx pic.twitter.com/MwPZYuhIlG

— REMEZCLA (@REMEZCLA) January 9, 2016