Fears of a third prison escape for Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman are being legitimized by ongoing construction near the prison that is holding him. The tunnel previously used for his escape still exists, and is merely guarded by Mexican state and federal officers. El Chapo and his son have taken to social media hinting at another escape on the horizon. The drug lord even has support from some locals in the vicinity of the prison who view him as an “anti-government” folk hero.

Alasdair Baverstock – Mailonline

“Construction work outside the maximum security prison holding Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman has sparked fears the drugs kingpin may be trying to pull another audacious jailbreak.

El Chapo became the world’s most wanted man when he escaped from the same Altiplano prison in July through a mile long underground tunnel.

Digging of that tunnel, which took a year to construct – was muted by the ‘deafening drilling’ of building works directly adjacent to the prison.

Now back in the hands of the authorities, the latest digging outside the jail has prompted speculation that he is plotting yet another bid to get out.

And people living near the jail say if he is capable of getting out twice, he can do it a third time – as he fights extradition to the US.

‘El Chapo is a hero to many ordinary Mexicans for defying the government,’ said Teresa Lopez, who owns a hardware store beside the prison, ‘I certainly wouldn’t put it past him to escape again.’