Judge Blocks Fast-Track Extradition of Mexican Drug Lord El Chapo Guzman Xinhua
go to original January 14, 2016

The United States government is working with Mexico on El Chapo's extradition. He would not be extradited if he is faced with a capital penalty. Our teleSUR Correspondent Bianca Perez with the latest. (teleSUR English)

A judge has blocked the fast-track extradition proceedings of the Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, media reported Tuesday.

The leader of the powerful drug organization Sinaloa Cartel "succeeded in getting a federal judge to suspend any attempts to immediately put him at the disposal of the United States," local daily newspaper El Excelsior reported.

"The judge granted a provisional suspension against ... any attempt at extradition without fulfilling the formalities of the process as required by law," the daily added.

The move has forced Mexican authorities to abide by the legal timetables, which could take about one to five years to complete, according to observers.

Jose Manuel Merino, international affairs official at the Attorney General's Office (PGR), told El Excelsior that "we are estimating on average, according to experience, around a year at the least."

The United States has filed two extradition requests with Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though it is not clear yet where he will be tried.

Read the rest at Xinhua

Related: Lawyer Says Jailed Chapo Guzman Treated Worse Than Hitler, Minister Denies (Xinhua)

Related: 'Sean Penn Is a Liar' Says El Chapo's Lawyer (teleSUR)

Related: Mexican Actress Says Guzman Reports 'Aren't Truthful' (Agence France-Presse)

Related: Mexico Seizes Exotic Birds Linked to Drug Lord El Chapo (Agence France-Presse)

Mexico Institute Director, Duncan Wood discusses the capture of the drug lord, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and the larger issues surrounding his arrest. (WoodrowWilsonCenter)

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