Mexico denies immediate extradition of Ovidio Guzmán to the United States

Mexican foreign minister Marcellus Ebrard, denied that US agencies participated this Thursday in the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán, one of the most wanted sons of Chapo Guzmán in the United States, whose capture sparked a wave of violence in Culiacán, in the north of the country. And others place suspensive points on the immediate expulsion of the drug trafficker.

“No, not that I know of. I think I would know, no, 90%. Let’s say what I know (…) Not until now,” the official said during a meeting with the media in the framework of the 135th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Japan, according to the EFE news agency.

The foreign minister also spoke of the moment in which the arrest took place, given that the version was circulated in various local media which it would be “a gift” for the US president, Joe Biden, as the capture occurred four days after the president’s visit to Mexico.

“I think it has nothing to do with it, really, because this operation was kept in the utmost secrecy by the authorities in charge of doing so and there was no mediation or political consultation in the cabinet. Therefore, there is no relationship between the police operation itself and the Summit,” he said.

He denied there was any kind of “exchange” with the US government. “No, there isn’t,” he observed. .

Ebrard also stated that there is an extradition request against him also known as “El Ratón”, which was issued on September 19, 2019, just under a month before Ovidio’s first arrest, on October 17 of that year. a fact known as “Culiacanazo”.

“Yes, it has been presented (the request for extradition) and in the end I imagine they will present some elements; today is what we have here in the stationery. So yes there is a request for extradition and there is no participationthat I know of, of any foreign agent in our territory,” he specified.

As for the process that will be followed to place the boss at the disposal of the US authorities, he explained that there is a procedure to follow according to Mexican law, which must be presented as soon as possible, but he denied that this means that Guzmán will be extradited in the next few days.

“Shouldn’t we extradite him if that’s your question, or proceed to extradite him under these circumstances today or tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, couldn’t, we have to complete the formalities that the law imposes on us,” indicated Ebrard da.

He recalled that he has an open trial in Mexico which led to his arrest and has ensured that until now the US authorities They have had no contact with the Mexican government.

This Thursday, Mexican authorities captured Guzmán, one of the leaders of the Sinaloa cartel. And after that, there were roadblocks in Culiacán, as well as clashes in different parts of the city, as well as burning vehicles and reports of civilian vehicle remains. Thus, the region was paralyzed.

Ovidio Guzmán López, “The Mouse”, with his brother Joaquín Guzmán Lópezis indicted in the United States on charges of conspiracy to commit illicit drugs.