El Chapo's son Ovidio Guzman Lopez has been officially asked by United States officials to be extradited to the county. He is currently accused of drug crimes.

A Mexican government spokesperson said that the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City issued the extradition request to the foreign ministry and attorney general's office. The spokesperson did not want to be named as he was not authorized to speak about the matter, as reported by Al Jazeera News.

Aside from the spokesperson, two unnamed sources also confirmed that there is an extradition request for Ovidio.

 Ovidio was captured in January on allegation of helping run the infamous Sinaloa Cartel since his father's absence in the organized crime group.

El Chapo, or Joaquin Guzman, was handed over to United States officials in 2017 after he was convicted in his high-profile trial. He is currently serving a life sentence in the United States for drug trafficking charges.

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Ovidio Guzman Extradition

In January, a Mexican judge halted the extradition of El Chapo's son to the United States a day after his arrest.

The arrest operation that led to the capture of Ovidio also caused 29 deaths from both sides of authorities and members of the cartel.

Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard earlier noted that the possible extradition of Ovidio would not be immediate due to the formalities of the law. Ebrard added that Ovidio is also facing an ongoing legal proceeding in Mexico, according to CNN.

A judge also gave the United States until March 5 to issue an extradition request.

Ovidio is accused of helping to manage nearly a dozen methamphetamine labs in Sinaloa, including conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana.

In addition, he was also reported to have ordered the hit on informants, a drug trafficker, and a Mexican singer who refused to perform at his wedding.

In 2019, he was captured by Mexican security forces but had to be freed after Sinaloa Cartel launched an all-out war as a response to his arrest,

Sinaloa Cartel

The Sinaloa Cartel is considered one of the most powerful drug cartels, with its headquarters found in Culiacan, Sinaloa. The organization has involvement in the drug trade and rampant violence.

Its leader, El Chapo, has requested to return to Mexico from the United States to complete his sentence, as cited by CBS News. His request was made on humanitarian grounds, with the message from El Chapo being described as an "SOS" by one of his lawyers.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in January that he would consider the drug kingpin's request.

El Chapo sought the aid of Lopez Obrador due to the alleged "psychological torment" that he is suffering in the U.S. prison.

Lopez Obrador told reporters at the time that they were "going to review" the plea.

El Chapo is currently imprisoned in a "Supermax" prison in Florence, Colorado, which houses numerous high-profile inmates.

READ MORE: El Chapo's Wife Emma Coronel Could Dismantle Sinaloa Cartel

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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