The outbreak of violence in Mexico after the arrest of the son of drug lord ‘El Chapo’ has claimed the lives of 29 people. Ten soldiers and nineteen criminals were killed in firefights. Meanwhile, a Mexican judge has ruled out a US extradition request.
The United States has requested his extradition and offered up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán. His father, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, is already serving a life sentence in the United States for murder, drug trafficking and money laundering.
After the arrest of 32-year-old Guzmán, violence erupted in Culiacán. This is the capital of the Sinaloa Cartel in western Mexico. Armed groups blocked roads and there were shootings at the airport and prison, according to Mexican media. More than 100 flights have been cancelled.
The Sinaloa Cartel is still considered very powerful in Mexico. The United States sees Guzmán as a key player in the drug cartel.
US President Joe Biden is coming to Mexico on Sunday. During that visit, safety should be high on the agenda. It was originally supposed to arrive on Monday. It is not clear why his visit was brought forward.
