Alleged Mexican cartel leader Ovidio Guzmán López. Photo: Google

PULSE NEWS MEXICO

The head of Mexico’s Sixth District Court for Appeals in Criminal Matters granted a provisional suspension on Monday, Jan. 9, of the possible extradition to the United States of alleged drug trafficker Ovidio Guzmán López, son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Judge Juan Mateo Brieba de Castro said that Guzmán López cannot be turned over to the U.S. authorities, and therefore “must remain in the place where he is available to this court.”

At the same time, the judge explained that while Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has yet to file formal charges against Guzmán López, there is an outstanding U.S. arrest warrant for the alleged head of the Sinaloa Cartel for extradition to the United States.

The United States now has 60 days to formalize an extradition request for Guzmán López.

Last Thursday, Jan. 5, Guzmán López was arrested in the city of Culiacán in the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa, for alleged crimes of possession of high-powered weapons and attempted murder.

Guzmán López is currently being held at the Federal Criminal Justice Center (Cefereso) El Altiplano in the State of Mexico.