Poll: More Than Half of Mexicans Think 'El Chapo' Is More Powerful Than Government Dolia Estevez - Forbes
go to original March 4, 2014

Guzman arrest remains buzz of Mazatlan (CNN/Just Breaking News)

Fifty three percent of Mexicans think that Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán is more powerful than the Mexican government, 20% believe the opposite and 27% did not know, according to the first poll conducted since the powerful drug lord was arrested on February 22 in Mexico.

Since 2009, El Chapo has been included in Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful People list. In 2013, only three Mexicans made the ranking: President Enrique Peña Nieto, billionaire Carlos Slim Helú and El Chapo Guzmán, who ranked 67th out of 72.

The survey, conducted by Jana, a Boston-based company, shows Mexicans less divided when it comes to the issue of whether Guzmán should face justice in Mexico or be sent to the U.S., where he has been indicted in eight federal district courts. As many as 44% said that Guzmán should be extradited to the U.S. for trial, 38 % said he should not, and 18% were undecided.  Reasons given for extradition were: “To have a more strict trial,” “Because the law is more severe in the U.S.,” “Because they are not as corrupt,” “So the punishment will be the electric chair” and “Because in Mexico he will escape and they will not do anything.”

The survey confirms the rooted perception about government corruption in Mexico. More than two thirds – 69% – said they believe that Guzmán has the support of people within the Mexican government vs. 22 % who said he did not.

Read the rest at Forbes

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