The Mexican government said it has already responded to a request by Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, "in a timely manner"

"Mr. Zambada doesn't want to go to trial and is willing to accept responsibility for a charge that doesn't carry out the death penalty," said the drug lord's lawyer Frank Perez

Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is seeking a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, his lawyer confirms.

Accused Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is willing to plead guilty in a deal with prosecutors in the United States if the arrangement spares him from the death penalty, his lawyer told Reuters on Monday.