Feb 24 • 23:22 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

'My son created the concept': The story behind La Leche, restaurant where 'Los Chapitos' were kidnapped

La Leche, a restaurant in Mexico owned by chef Poncho Cadena, was the site of a violent kidnapping involving sons of notorious drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán.

La Leche, a unique monochromatic restaurant in Mexico, recently found itself at the center of a violent incident involving the kidnapping of two brothers, Iván Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzmán, known as members of the Sinaloa Cartel faction 'Los Chapitos'. The restaurant, owned by chef Poncho Cadena, has a history of 18 years and has now seen a dark chapter unfold within its walls. The backstory of La Leche reveals that it was founded by Ignacio Cadena, Poncho's father, who nurtured his culinary skills from a young age, influenced greatly by his mother's talent in the kitchen.

The event, involving significant figures in the drug trafficking world, took place rapidly, leaving a distinct mark on the establishment's reputation. Despite this, La Leche has shown resilience, managing to recover from the incident and continuing operations. This resilience is attributed not only to its long-standing history as a dining location but also to the dedication and creativity of the chef and staff, who have added to its allure over the years.

The implications of this violent event highlight the ongoing issues related to cartel violence in Mexico, specifically pointing to the dangerous intersections of culture, commerce, and crime within the restaurant industry. Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the broader societal impacts of drug trafficking and the persistent threats posed by organized crime in the region, even in places that are otherwise peaceful and family-oriented like La Leche.

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