El Chapo Trial: "I love him", says Damaso of Chapo

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat

Entered in court as a "demonstrative aid"-defense draws attention to the ridiculous assumption that Chito,
A low level maintenance worker, alone could have pulled off Chapo's Jalisco prison escape

Before Damaso’s claims about Emma, he testified about letters Chapo had written to him from prison.  These depicted the “how” Chapo operated the business.

Damaso says Chapo told him to make sure in his absence that the sicarios and their widows get paid.  [like other cartels they give widows support payments] He keeps up with the news on  their synthetic heroin project and reminds Damaso to pay rents on the “front” companies in Europe.

Chapo also would write things like; "Crop duster should be started and flown periodically, so it doesn't get ruined," There are also cryptic orders written in code.

Example; “Go easy on the thing with the three intellectuals."

In the letters Chapo make reference to drug trafficking with writing about kilos and tons, collection of debts and weapons sch as RPG7’s.   

Chapo typically had others write his letter, even love letters.  This was due to his low level literacy. US agents could easily tell his texts by how bad the syntax was.

Chapo invited an American lawyer to Culiacán in 2014. The meeting was with his four sons and Damaso about possible cooperation with the US government.

Damaso said he also made his separate outreach in 2016.

Letters below entered as evidence-highlighted notes by Keegan Hamilton

   Chapo s Prison Letter to Damaso Lopez Nunez El Lic by Chivis Martinez on Scribd

Cross Examination

Chito remains in prison 

While he admits he was involved in the planning of the 2015 tunnel escape from Altiplano, Damaso denies having any part of the construction.  Why the distinction isn’t clear to me. 

Damaso: "I didn’t know about even one shovel of earth that was removed.  It was his sons [Chapo] who were doing that.”

Eduardo Balarezo grilled Damaso regarding Chapo first prison escape in the laundry cart.

"Why didn't Chapo use the laundry cart again instead of the tunnel.” “It's pretty spectacular right?" 

Damaso: "It's very real."

[foto at left the lowly maintenance worker, the only one ever punished for either escape.  He remains in prison Chapo never reached out to help him]

The murder of Javier Valdez

Damaso was asked about his role in the 2017 killing of  RioDoce founder and journalist,  Javier Valdez.

"My son and I are innocent of this man's murder."  Said Damaso.  

He blamed Chapo’s sons.

Damasos have been accused of the murder by RioDoce magazine themselves. Read the article by using this hyperlink.  

From the post “One of the killers according to the cousin who is now the protected witness [mexico]- "El Quillo" showed them the  silver plated pistol with the image of Damaso Lopez Nunez , "El Licenciado" on its grips   and Damaso Serrano Lopez, "El Mini Lic" which he had received as payment for the murder.”

Gestures to Compa Chapo

Throughout the trial most of the cooperative witnesses have signaled to Chapo a greeting or message.

Except for the IT guy who experienced a mental breakdown and when finished scurried out of the courtroom without looking at Chapo.  One uttered an expression to Chapo meaning “you got nailed”, [clavado] When Jorge Cifuentes, walked past the Chapo while  leaving the courtroom, crossed both his arms over his chest and pumped them back and forth.

Vincente Zambada always referred to Chapo as “Compa Chapo” or “My compa Chapo”, a sign of respect.

At the end of today, on cross examination, Damaso was asked about a gesture he gave Chapo when he took the stand. Damaso had patted his heart with his hand.

When asked why?  Damaso replied “I love him." The why was he testifying against Chapo?

"Circumstances have placed me here.”

Note to readers, to access all trial coverage type in El Chapo Trial in the search bar.  

Damaso's plea agreement September 2018

Damaso Lopez Plea Agreement... by on Scribd

Sources:  BB archives, RioDoce, Chivis Documents, Pacer, Keegan Hamilton, NYT