Peña's reaction when hearing of El Chapo's escape: "Let's play dominoes"

by Lucio R. for Borderland Beat

On the occasion of his third state of the union address, President Enrique Peña Nieto asserted that events like those of Iguala, and the escape of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman “is upsetting to Mexicans”.  He says he was saddened by the events. 

"Our country was deeply hurt by a series of cases and unfortunate events, the events of Iguala or the

escape from  a high security prison reminds us of a weak rule of law," he told more than a thousand guests at the National Palace. 

"Accusations of conflicts of interest, even involving the Chief Executive, as well as allegations of corruption in the municipal, state and federal orders, and in some cases in the private sector have generated discomfort and anger". 

"These situations are very different," he explained, "but they all affect the attitude of Mexicans and public trust in institutions."

“What are we going to do as a country, in confronting the challenges and difficulties facing Mexico?"

Our response is blunt: Let's face the challenges with clarity of direction and absolute determination.”

Say what?

I include the above-mentioned as a lead in to an article posted in Reforma about the reaction of EPN, to the news that Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán had escaped No. 1 Altiplano Prison.  The escape was a fete never before successfully executed by an inmate. It was Chapo’s second successful, made for Hollywood, escape.

Taking a trip back in time of the escape, finds the Mexican president on Mexico’s presidential aircraft, en route to a state visit in Paris, France, with his advisers, and supposedly they were relaxed and  in a game of dominoes

It was at this time that EPN’s  private secretary, Jorge Corona, alerted his boss to a phone call and handed him the phone.  The president left his seat and moved behind a closed door. 

On the other end of the line, was the secretary of the interior, Miguel Ángel Osorio, calling from London.

Peña spoke for a brief time, asked a few questions and and ended the call.

He returned to his seat saying to his advisers, "El Chapo escaped,".  Everyone was stunned.

"How?" asked one.

Peña said, “ Looks like he escaped through a tunnel.  They are investigating."

According to Reforma,  the news held the attention of Peña only briefly.

Everyone remained silent, waiting for their chief to speak further about the shocking event, instead Peña asked how long until the arrival in Gander (airport in Canada).  He was told, “less than two hours.” 

No further discussion ensued of the escape.

"We are going to finish," ordered Peña, pointing to the dominoes.

It is difficult to know what a presidential reaction to such news should be, but returning to a game of dominoes would probably not be on the short list of any sensible person.  Maybe a few phone calls, or a 5 minute discussion with his trusted advisers, all of whom were a few feet from him, may have been in order.

Perhaps this supports the notion that Peña is an unprepared president, an incapable president, maybe he just had no clue what to do, what to say, and how to react, so hell with it, “let’s play dominoes."

And he won.

A portion of  material used to write this post is from Reforma, also posted on forum by Mars220 from the Business Insider article