El Chapo in tears after seeing his twin daughters in court

Emalí and María Joaquina, the seven-year-old twin daughters of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán

, were present at the federal courtroom in New York where the Mexican drug lord stands trial on multiple criminal charges. This is the first time that the twins are present since the court proceedings began more than six weeks ago .

“El Chapo” was seemingly surprised by the visit and extremely excited to see his daughters. With tearful eyes, unable to stop looking at them, Guzmán clapped his hands lively, showing his joy: They waved and sent kisses to each other from across the courtroom.

The girls were accompanied by El Chapo’s wife Emma Coronel , who had traveled to Mexico earlier in the week to spend time with them. The twins wore white coats, jeans, and black ribbons.

Whether or not the encounter was a strategy from the criminal defense team to show Joaquín Guzmán’s humanity just a few days before Christmas, it was extremely effective.

The members of the jury were also moved by the scene, looking attentively as the father and daughters exchanged gestures of affection. They paid little attention to the official testimonies of Colombian police or pictures of weapons and drugs that were confiscated from the Sinaloa Cartel .

The twins are the only people who are allowed to visit Joaquín Guzmán at the Metropolitan Correctional Center of Manhattan , where El Chapo has been imprisoned for almost two years.

Colombian drug lord testifies against El Chapo

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