How Long Was El Chapo On The Run? A Look At His Escapes And Captures

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Many folks, you know, are quite curious about the life and times of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, especially when it comes to his incredible knack for escaping the authorities. It's a story that, arguably, has captured the attention of people all over the globe, truly showing how determined someone can be, even when facing significant challenges. His periods of freedom, after breaking out of prison, are a pretty big part of what makes his story so widely discussed, so to speak.

This individual, a very powerful figure in the world of drug trafficking, managed to slip away from custody not just once, but on multiple occasions. Each time he vanished, it set off a huge search, keeping law enforcement quite busy for extended periods. People often wonder, naturally, just how much time he spent out of jail, living life on the run, before being brought back into custody.

In this piece, we're going to take a closer look at the different times El Chapo was a fugitive, exploring the length of each of those stretches. We'll trace his path from his initial escapes to his eventual captures, giving you a clear picture of his remarkable, yet ultimately short-lived, freedom. It's an interesting timeline, to be honest, filled with twists and turns.

Table of Contents

• El Chapo at a Glance
• The First Great Escape and a Long Period of Freedom
• A Brief Return to Custody and Another Daring Breakout
• The Final Capture and Extradition
• Frequently Asked Questions

El Chapo at a Glance

Before we get into the details of his time as a fugitive, it's probably helpful to have a quick overview of who Joaquín Guzmán, also known as El Chapo, really is. He's, in a way, one of Mexico's most well-known drug lords, having led the very notorious Sinaloa Cartel for quite some time. His story involves a rise to power, several dramatic escapes, and a final conviction that, arguably, put an end to his reign.

Here's a little bit of information about him, just to give you some context:

Detail	Information
Real Name	Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera
Known As	El Chapo ("Shorty")
Affiliation	Sinaloa Cartel (Former Leader)
First Major Escape	January 19, 2001
First Recapture	February 2014
Second Escape	July 2015
Second Recapture	January 2016
Current Status	Serving a life sentence in a U.S. supermax prison

The First Great Escape and a Long Period of Freedom

The first time Joaquín Guzmán really made headlines for escaping prison was, you know, quite a dramatic event. It happened on January 19, 2001, when he managed to get out of the Puente Grande prison in Jalisco, which is not too far from Guadalajara. The exact details of how he got away are, in a way, a bit unclear, but it's pretty well-known that he did receive some assistance from prison guards. This escape, for sure, marked the beginning of a very long period where he was free from custody.

After this initial breakout, El Chapo, as a matter of fact, spent a significant amount of time as a fugitive. He was, quite literally, on the run for more than a decade. This particular stretch of freedom lasted for over 10 years, which is a really long time for someone of his notoriety to avoid capture. During this period, he continued to lead the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, expanding its reach and influence, you know, across various regions.

His freedom came to an end in February 2014. After more than a decade on the run, Guzmán was, arguably, captured yet again. This time, authorities found him at a hotel in Mazatlán, which is a beach resort town located in his home state of Sinaloa. This capture, to be honest, was a major win for the authorities, bringing an end to his very long first period as a fugitive.

A Brief Return to Custody and Another Daring Breakout

After his capture in February 2014, El Chapo, you know, didn't stay locked up for as long as many might have expected. He was, actually, placed in a high-security prison in Mexico. However, his time behind bars after this recapture was, in a way, surprisingly short. Mexican authorities announced on a Friday that the drug lord, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, had been recaptured, but then, very quickly, he was gone again.

Just seven months after he was brought back into custody in 2014, El Chapo managed to escape from prison once more. This second escape, which happened in July 2015, was, arguably, even more audacious than his first. It involved a very elaborate tunnel, which, you know, was quite a feat of engineering, stretching from his cell to a house outside the prison walls. This event, for sure, shocked people around the world, highlighting his incredible ability to evade justice.

Following this second breakout, El Chapo remained on the run for several months. During this period, he even, you know, let actors Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo interview him for a feature in Rolling Stone. This was, in a way, the first time he had, you know, spoken so openly while being a fugitive. It showed a certain confidence, or perhaps a daring nature, while he was still trying to stay hidden from the authorities, you know, during this second period of freedom.

His second period as a fugitive, though dramatic, was considerably shorter than his first. One of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, was, in fact, recaptured by police after six months on the run. This quick recapture, which happened in January 2016, brought an end to his second escape, showing that, while he was clever, his luck, arguably, wouldn't last forever. The authorities, it seems, were much quicker to track him down this time around.

The Final Capture and Extradition

After his recapture in January 2016, following that six-month period of freedom, the focus shifted, you know, to ensuring El Chapo would not escape again. Following a news conference on a Friday night, Guzmán was, as a matter of fact, walked by police in front of cameras at an airport in Mexico City. He was then placed in a helicopter bound for Altiplano, which is, you know, a very secure facility.

However, the real turning point for El Chapo, arguably, was his extradition to the United States. While he had been languishing in jail in Mexico, a relaxing of relations between his home country and the U.S. seems to have, you know, played a part in this decision. Authorities, eventually, extradited him to Mexico, where he was, actually, quickly convicted of criminal association and bribery. He was, in a way, sentenced to 20 years behind bars there.

The timeline of Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán, from arrest, escape, capture, to trial, reached its most significant point when he was, in fact, sent to the U.S. On July 17, 2019, the Mexican drug kingpin and former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquín Guzmán, known as “El Chapo,” was, you know, sentenced to life behind bars in a U.S. supermax prison. This final sentencing, arguably, put an end to his long history of escapes and recaptures, making him inmate 3927 in a U.S. facility. His time on the run, it seems, is now truly over.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times did El Chapo escape from prison?

El Chapo, you know, managed to escape from prison on two separate occasions during his career. His first escape happened in January 2001 from Puente Grande prison, and his second, arguably more famous, breakout occurred in July 2015 from Altiplano prison. Each time, it caused quite a stir, showing his ability to, you know, get away from even very secure facilities. These escapes, for sure, added to his legend as a cunning figure.

Where was El Chapo first captured after his 2001 escape?

After his initial escape from prison in 2001, El Chapo was, you know, finally captured in February 2014. This recapture happened at a hotel in Mazatlán, which is a beach resort town located in his home state of Sinaloa. His first capture, to be honest, actually happened in Guatemala, but after his 2001 escape, Mazatlán was the place where his more than a decade on the run came to an end. It was, arguably, a significant moment for the authorities, bringing a very long search to a close.

How long was El Chapo in prison before his second escape?

After his recapture in February 2014, El Chapo was, you know, held in prison for a relatively short period before his second escape. He was, in fact, only in custody for about seven months. His escape in July 2015, just a little over half a year after his capture, really surprised many people, demonstrating his persistent efforts to regain his freedom. This short period of incarceration, you know, was a testament to his determination to not stay locked up.

Learn more about El Chapo's history on our site, and link to this page official U.S. government sources for more details on his sentencing.