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Virtually all Mexicans know about the escape of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, but most distrust the government's version and doubt that he will be recaptured, according to a telephone survey conducted by EL UNIVERSAL on July 25 and 26.
However, if he was recaptured, most Mexicans think that he should be extradited to the United States.
Also, a majority of the participants said they would not denounce El Chapo despite the reward offered by the government, out of fear of reprisals, lack of trust in the government or because they see him as a hero.
They also believe that President Enrique Peña Nieto should have returned from his state visit to France after Mexico's most wanted drug lord fled prison.
97% of the participants in the survey knew about the escape of the Sinaloa cartel boss, but 80% do not believe the version given by the government. Only 16% of the respondents believe the official version.
The survey also revealed that 43% of the participants think that the second flight of "El Chapo" from a federal maximum security prison was due to corruption, 26% believe they let him out, 15% that he managed to escape due to his considerable resources, 6% that it is just a distraction from the government and 2% think he was never in jail.
Also, 65% of the respondents think that El Chapo will not be recaptured, compared to 28% who think otherwise. If he is recaptured, 58% would rather have him extradited to the United States, while 35% think he should stay in Mexico.
63% of the participants said that President Enrique Peña Nieto should have returned immediately from France after learning about El Chapo's escape, compared to 32% who think that it was not necessary for him to return.
In addition, 60% say that someone should resign as a result of the escape: 29% mentioned Interior Minister Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong; 28% President Enrique Peña Nieto; 12% judges who grant injunctions; 10% the director of El Altiplano prison, 10% all of those involved and 8% the National Security Commissioner.
The survey also revealed that 12% of the participants think that "El Chapo" is a hero, while 42% consider him a villain.
Most Mexicans (51%) would not provide information leading to his recapture despite the reward of up to 60 million pesos (US$3.68 million) offered by the Attorney General's Office (PGR), mainly out of fear of reprisals (58%), corruption (11%), disbelief that the money would actually be paid out (10%), because it would serve no purpose (6%) or out of fear of being betrayed by the government itself (5%).
A total of 41 people have been interrogated after Guzmán's escape on July 11 from El Altiplano prison in the State of Mexico through a mile-long tunnel.
