Ismael Zambada García’s sentencing, better known as El Mayo Zambada, the former historical leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, now has a definitive date. According to the updated minutes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Judge Brian Cogan determined that the hearing will be held on April 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Brooklyn courthouse.
The decision comes after the drug lord’s defense requested a 90-day postponement, arguing that it was difficult to complete the pre-sentencing report due to the violence plaguing various regions of Mexico.
El Mayo’s defense requests a postponement due to violence in Mexico
The legal team, led by attorney Frank Pérez, requested a postponement of the sentencing, noting that the preparation of the mitigation memorandum has been “seriously hampered” by the violence in areas where family members, witnesses, and key individuals live who are essential to the report.
This document is crucial in attempting to reduce a sentence that, according to U.S. authorities, could mean life imprisonment.
«A substantial portion of the mitigating evidence must be obtained from individuals located in regions of Mexico that are currently experiencing increased violence and instability», the attorney stated in court.
Difficulties in traveling, communicating, and gathering letters of support have delayed the process, leading Judge Cogan to adjust the schedule.
New dates for the trial against El Mayo Zambada
Following the court’s ruling, the following formal deadlines were established:
- April 30, 2026: Deadline for the defense to submit its pre-sentencing memorandum.
- April 6, 2026: Deadline for the U.S. Attorney’s Office to submit its own report.
- April 13, 2026: Final sentencing hearing before Judge Brian Cogan.
The defense is seeking to reduce the severity of the sentence, which, given the nature of the charged offenses, could be life imprisonment.
What is Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada accused of?
On August 25, El Mayo Zambada pled guilty before the federal court in Brooklyn to two organized crime charges, including: International drug trafficking and participation in a violent criminal enterprise
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi celebrated the guilty plea, stating that the Mexican drug lord will spend “the rest of his life behind bars».
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The kidnapping and extradition to the U.S.: El Mayo’s version
In 2024, Zambada was transferred from Mexico to U.S. territory on a flight that, according to his own statement, occurred against his will. In a letter submitted to the court, he claimed to have been the victim of an internal plot within the Sinaloa Cartel.
According to his version, Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, would have organized his capture along with his brother Ovidio Guzmán to hand him over to U.S. authorities in order to obtain legal benefits.
The alleged internal betrayal further fractured the cartel and exposed disputes over criminal leadership.
El Mayo admits to 55 years of drug trafficking
During the hearing at which he pled guilty, Zambada read a letter in which he made one of the broadest confessions ever heard in a drug trafficking trial:
«I started getting involved with illegal drugs in 1969, when I was 19 years old and planted marijuana for the first time».
He also admitted:
- Having trafficked “tons” of drugs
- Directing armies of hitmen
- Bribe authorities at all levels
- Order and carry out acts of violence within and outside their criminal organization
Zambada concluded by asking for forgiveness: I apologize to everyone who has suffered or been affected by my actions.
Possible sentence: What does El Mayo Zambada face in the U.S.?
The trial against Ismael Zambada García represents one of the most important organized crime proceedings in decades, as he is the last major historical leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office maintains that:
- It has no cooperation agreements
- It has not provided any information.
- His crimes were committed over more than five decades.
Therefore, a life sentence is the most likely outcome, although the defense will seek to avoid it by presenting a mitigating report.
