Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was known for being Mexico’s biggest drug kingpin; now, he is known for being an escaped prisoner after crawling to freedom through a tunnel built for him in the shower of the high-security prison he was held in. The leader of the Sinaloa Cartel is no stranger to escaping from prison; he was caught in 2014 after a 13-year stint of avoiding police. 

Guzman was able to escape because of his reputation. Authorities believed guards worked with him to escape because of fear of both their families’ and own lives. The persona he had made the escape easy. 

According to CNN, bribes were placed in order for the escape to take place. This should not be a real big surprise; he is, after all, the world’s biggest drug trafficker with a multibillion-dollar drug empire, supplying a significant portion of the marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs that are sold in the United States.

This situation directly affects the betterment of our country because of the smuggling problem our border faces day in and day out. The U.S. Justice Department describes the Sinaloa Cartel as “one of the world’s most prolific, violent and powerful drug cartels.” It also says Guzman was considered the world’s most powerful drug lord until he was recaptured in February 2014. With Guzman free again, will this cartel once again regain its power?

If his reign has a rebirth, it means there will be a significant problem with drug trafficking at the already shaky U.S.-Mexico border. With Guzman willing to throw around money with bribes, it is likely he will be out of prison for some time. Mexican officials have denied U.S. help in searching and seizing Guzman. Should the United States intervene and search for the escaped threat to our society?

Pressing the issue and helping find the drug lord does appear to be in our best interest because of his freedom’s threat.

While Guzman was behind bars, Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto was able to fight the war on drugs. Fox News reports that he took down seven of Guzman’s 11 drug-cartel leaders, capturing them in his first two years as president. This feat challenges the hold the cartel has over Mexico. All this set aside, Peña Nieto’s work could be all forgotten if Guzman is not found. 

Guzman is a threat to our fight on drugs in this country and is an even bigger threat to the people of Mexico. Finding him should be one our largest border priorities and should be priority No. 1 for Mexico.