Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is reportedly seeking to improve the detention conditions at the Colorado maximum security prison he is currently held in, claiming that his health has been deteriorating due to the conditions there.
Mexican outlet Milenio outlet reported that Guzman's legal team has claimed that the lack of natural light and limited movement due to the risk of him fleeing have contributed to his deterioration.
In a letter sent to penitentiary authorities, Guzman says the only physical activity he is allowed to do takes place three times a week for three hours, but he doesn't even get sunlight there because "walls are too high."
Specialized journalist Anabel Hernandez added that Guzman is claiming that considering his former partner Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and his sons are already detained in the U.S., the risk of him fleeing is lower.
Infobae detailed that conditions at the ADX Florence facility have been described as inhumane by human rights groups, and inmates don't have contact with each other. The outlet also noted that Guzman has high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, hearing hallucinations, cognitive reduction and loss of immediate memory.
Guzman had also recently complained that he was not being granted access to his lawyer, Israel Encinosa. He said he had not been able to communicate with his lawyer for 10 months even though Encinosa had been authorized to visit him.
Guzman was granted access to the lawyer days later, with Encinosa saying that has already been authorized to hold phone calls and meet in person with him.
Guzman was sentenced to life in prison in 2019 and is currently at a maximum security facility in Colorado. He has been requesting for a new trial for years but all petitions have been rejected.
Earlier this year it was reported that Guzman is cooperating with U.S. authorities by providing information on his former associate Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, apprehended in Texas last year.
Originally published on Latin Times
