El Chapo's Son Ovidio Guzman Lopez of Sinaloa Cartel Wins New Suspension That Stops His Extradition to U.S.

The process to extradite Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, to the United States has been suspended again after a Mexican judge granted his latest appeal.

According to El Universal, El Chapo's son on Tuesday filed another writ of amparo attributed to the judge of the Federal Criminal Justice Center inside Altiplano maximum security federal prison at Almoloya de Juárez municipality in the State of Mexico.

Judge Everardo Maya Arias, head of the Third District Court in the State of Mexico, reportedly has the legal jurisdiction to hear and resolve Ovidio's case. El Siglo reported that Maya Arias granted the suspension outright, so El Chapo's son will not be extradited and will remain at the disposal of the court while he remains at the Altiplano prison.

However, the judge noted that the suspension is in effect as long as it is not about compliance with a sentence that has been enforced. He added that the precautionary measure granted will be revoked if the proper authorities issued the requested extradition order or if it was issued without a procedure wherein Ovidio was allowed to assert his right of defense.

The judge also warned responsible authorities that failure to comply with the order will lead to an investigative hearing by the Attorney General's Office of the Republic (FGR), with a possible penalty of three to nine years in prison, as well as dismissal or disqualification to perform another public position or job up to nine years, aside from paying fines.

Judicial opinions issued in the extradition process are reportedly not binding as they only serve to establish a perspective on whether or not the detained person meets extradition requirements. The Foreign Affairs Ministry still makes the final determination.

Extradition of El Chapo's Son Ovidio Guzman Lopez to U.S. May Take Years

This was the third time a Mexican judge halted Ovidio Guzman Lopez's extradition to the U.S. A Mexico City judge first halted El Chapo's son's extradition to the U.S. on January 6.

The judge stopped Ovidio's extradition process to the U.S. after granting an amparo that also allowed him to contact his family and lawyers who requested the suspension of the extradition process.

On January 10, the lawyers of El Chapo's son filed another writ of amparo against his deportation, expulsion, or extradition to the U.S., where he will face charges in a Washington D.C. court that accused him of trafficking drugs.

However, the court in Mexico City junked the appeal, saying it lacked legal jurisdiction to hear and resolve this case. It noted that Ovidio was at the disposal of the control judge in a place where he was being held.

According to Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, there has been a request for the extradition of El Chapo's son by the U.S. since September 2019. However, he noted that Ovidio faces legal proceedings in Mexico, and any extradition to the U.S. could take some time, Vice reported.

Lawyers and former U.S. law enforcement officials involved in extraditions from Mexico previously told the outlet that the wait could vary from several months to years, or it may never even happen as the process is plagued by corruption and painfully slow, particularly in cases involving narco suspects with helpful information to share with investigators.

Following Ovidio's arrest, Gregorio Salazar Hernandez, another judge of the Federal Criminal Justice Center, said the U.S. government has 60 days to submit the documents needed for Ovidio's extradition. Hernandez noted that the U.S. should formalize its extradition request before March 5.

El Chapo's Sons: The Los Chapitos of Sinaloa Cartel

The four sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos, had reportedly assumed leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel after their father was arrested and extradited to the U.S.

The Los Chapitos are Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar. Under their leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has continued to be one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels.

The U.S. State Department has already offered $5 million rewards for any information that could help federal agents arrest El Chapo's four sons. The State Department said the Los Chapitos are high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel and are each subject to a federal indictment for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Their father's former right-hand man, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was reportedly the Los Chapitos' internal enemy number one. El Chapo's sons have also been at odds with their uncle, Aureliano "El Guano" Guzman. El Chapo's brother is also a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Mexico Arrests Ovidio Guzman, Son of 'El Chapo' - From Reuters