A daughter of Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is working alongside cartels to donate and pass out coronavirus relief kits in Guadalajara.
Video shows Alejandrina helping pack the coronavirus relief packages, which include toilet paper, rice, sugar, oil, and other food and essentials. According to a report by Reuters, Alejandrina was handing out the goods through her company branded “El Chapo 701.”
In the video, those helping can be seen wearing the “701” shirts. They wore face masks and loaded boxes with a stenciled photo of her father, who was the kingpin of the Sinaloa cartel.
Guzmán last year was sentenced to life plus 30 years in a U.S. prison, bringing his decades-long criminal career at the top of the narcotics trade to an end. His charges included narcotics trafficking, using a firearm in furtherance of his drug crimes and participating in a money laundering conspiracy.
“We are working and contributing. A great pleasure to visit your homes and give you these Chapo handouts,” a post on Alejandrina’s company Facebook page read.
Reuters noted that the cartels, which are responsible for brutal killings throughout the country, also “have a history of trying to win over hearts and minds of impoverished communities where they operate.”
According to Reuters, other active cartel members have also been providing aid during the pandemic. One video posted online showed people clamoring for packages being handed out with the log of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which are signed:“From your friends, CJNG, COVID-19 contingency support”.
Reuters reports another cartel, The Gulf Cartel, also delivered packages containing rice, beans, oil and canned goods. Like other packages, those being handed out by the cartel included their name and a message of support.
The aid from cartels comes as international leaders have criticized the country’s leadership over its response to the pandemic.