Mexican Authorities arrested Ovidio Guzmanson of a notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmanspark widespread violence just days before President Joe Bidenhis scheduled visit to the besieged Central American country.
According to a press release issued by the U.S. State Department on December 16, Ovidio is a “senior member of the Sinaloa Cartel,” and is involved in all of the cartel’s activities, particularly its production. produce fentanyl.
News of son “El Chapo” being arrested sparks violence, forcing officials to take shelter-at-home measures
News of Ovidio’s arrest sparked violence across the city, forcing local officials to ask residents to shelter at home amid clashes with gang members in various parts of the country. Culiacán.
Based on News APGang members have set up 19 checkpoints throughout the city, including one at Culiacan airport and outside the local army base, as well as at all points of access to Culiacan city.
However, the Air Force was still able to fly Ovidio to Mexico City despite their efforts.
Ovidio, nicknamed “Rat,” was previously arrested by federal authorities in October 2019, but was released on the orders of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to avoid further bloodshed.
The arrest comes just days before President Biden arrives in Mexico for bilateral negotiations
Meanwhile, Thursday’s high-profile arrest comes just days before President López Obrador will host US President Joe Biden for bilateral talks, followed by a Leaders’ Summit. their North American leadership with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
According to the Associated Press, drug trafficking, along with immigration, is expected to be the top discussion points.
“This is a significant blow to the Sinaloa cartel and a major victory for the rule of law. However, it will not impede the flow of drugs into the US. It is hoped that Mexico will extradite him to the United States,” Mike Vigil, the DEA’s former Director of International Operations, said on Thursday.
The 12-hour confrontation between security forces and drug cartel fighters in Culiacan, Mexico, over the arrest of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of drug lord Shorty, is coming to an end, 27 (at least) 3 civilians) were injured, a national guard was killed. pic.twitter.com/gUXQhJlmZs
– Sophia Lambert (@DV16FDS5V) January 6, 2023
Vigil went on to say that Ovidio was involved in all the gang activities, namely the production of fentanyl. A 2018 federal indictment filed in Washington, DC, accuses young Guzmán of conspiring to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana in the United States, the Associated Press reported.
Research by the NGO Causa en Comun has counted 5,463 victims from 3,123 events out of a total of 2,657 articles as of the first half of 2022. This number is up 18% from the same period in 2021.
Arrest of “El Chapo”‘s son leads to violent gang backlash, residents are urged to stay inside
Last July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the year ending January 2022, the majority of which involved opioids including fentanyl illegally produced.
Early last year, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Agency offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Guzmán’s arrest and/or conviction.
Meanwhile, gang members responded to Ovidio’s arrest on Thursday by robbing Culiacan residents’ cars and setting them on fire in the gang’s stronghold, while local and state governments warned residents stay inside.
Gunfire continued through Thursday afternoon in Culiacan while Mexican authorities clashed with gang members.
Ovidio’s father, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is currently serving a life sentence in the US after being convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering in 2019.
Like his son, eldest brother Guzmán escaped before his official sentencing in 2015 through a tunnel dug by associates into his cell. Mexican authorities eventually caught him after a shooting in January 2016 and extradited him to the US a year later.
