Mexican security forces arrested the son of drug lord El Chapo Guzman in prison on January 5, marking a clear victory in the battle against powerful drug cartels just days before US President Joe Biden arrived in Mexico. .
Ovideo Guzman, nicknamed El Ratan (Rat), was arrested in Culiacan, a city in northwestern Mexico, and taken to Mexico City by military plane, Defense Minister Luis Cres Sancio Sandóvar told reporters. .
Mexico’s defense minister said the arrest was the result of a six-month intelligence operation that led to the discovery of 32-year-old Ovideo Guzman. He was accused of helping his father manage his father’s affairs after El Chapo was extradited to the United States in 2017. The United States has offered a reward of up to US$5 million for information leading to the arrest of Ovideo Guzman. The United States accuses Ovideo Guzman of being a key figure in the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel.
4. After his arrest, gunfire from the arson rocked the town of Culiacan. Ovideo Guzman’s arrest comes as Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador prepares to host US President Joe Biden, who will attend a summit of North American leaders in Mexico City next week. Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha said one National Guard soldier was killed and at least 28 wounded in the arrest. When Ovideo Guzman was arrested, schools and sporting events in Culiacan were also forced to stop.
A passenger plane and an air force plane at Culiacan airport were hit as Guzman’s confidants angrily responded. Videos posted on social media showed airport passengers and Aeromexico employees hiding behind counters as gunshots rang out. No casualties were reported in the airport shooting. Drug gang gunmen set cars and trucks on fire at several intersections in the town of Culiano, causing traffic jams, authorities said.
