Sheinbaum Says Mexico Will Seek Return of Any Assets Seized From El Mayo Zambada

President Claudia Sheinbaum said at her morning press conference that if U.S. authorities actually seize assets tied to Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García following his July 20, 2026 sentencing, her government will formally request that the funds be turned over to Mexico 'for the benefit of the people' through the Institute to Return Stolen Goods to the People. She stressed that the $15 billion forfeiture figure ordered by the court is the U.S. Department of Justice's estimate of trafficking profits attributed to Zambada, not assets that have already been identified or recovered, and that any handover would depend on ongoing coordination between Mexico's Finance Ministry and the U.S. Treasury.