Ledger DC Journal - News, Politics & Crime

Joaquin Guzman, a Mexican drug lord known for his brutal and deadly tactics to run his drug cartel has made the Forbes list. Mexican Drug Lord Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman Loera in included in Forbes' newly-released annual list of most powerful people. Loera is Mexico's elusive drug baron and Forbes noted Guzman's profession as "drug trafficker" on the list published Wednesday on its web site.

"This ranking is intended to be the beginning of a conversation, not the final word," the magazine said in accompanying article. "Do despicable criminals like billionaire Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman ... belong on this list at all?"


Guzman's exact whereabouts are unknown, but he is said to run the most elaborate and brutal drug cartel in Mexico. He is considered one of Mexico's most wanted fugitives. The government has offered a reward of 30 million pesos ($2.3 million) for information leading to his capture.

See more here. He was in custody at one time. In 1993 he was arrested on charges of murder and trafficking, and sent to the maximum security Puente Grande jail, from which he escaped, eight years later, by bribing guards to smuggle him out in a laundry van. Now authorities say he carries out orders from various locations as he dodges authorities.