Our Trust in Mexico Should Vanish Like El Chapo

Meanwhile, Donald Trump -- who doesn't know how to be quiet and may be the most hated gringo south of the border since President James Polk invaded Mexico in 1846 -- has alerted the FBI that he was sent a threat from what appears to be Guzman's Twitter account. Trump carelessly implied that all illegal immigrants coming from Mexico to the United States are criminals, and now a real-life criminal might be coming to make the loudmouth, as the tweet said, eat his words.

Would you like salsa with that, Mr. Trump?

It is no wonder that U.S. law enforcement officials who have chased Guzman for years are furious. They wanted him extradited. And if that had happened, the drug kingpin would almost certainly still be in U.S. federal prison. Which is probably why the Mexican officials refused to hand him over. They were likely in no hurry to give up their leverage with the United States -- or, perhaps, with the cartels.

With El Chapo on the loose, the Obama administration is offering Mexico drones, federal marshals and even a special task force to bring him back. Mexican officials have not responded to the offer of additional resources.

We never learn. What makes us think the Mexican government doesn't know exactly where to find Guzman -- that is, if it had any interest in doing so?

El Chapo's "escape" should be the absolute last straw in the farcical partnership between the United States and Mexico in a drug war that has become a joke. You can't partner with someone who doesn't respect you, and the Mexicans are treating the Americans like chumps. They intend to take us for all they can get, and give us nothing in return but lies, frustration and disappointment.

If Americans accept those things, and demand nothing more, then we shouldn't be surprised when we're misled and mistreated. And, in the long term, we have much more to worry about than a runaway drug lord.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.