Mexico OKs extradition of drug lord to the US

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY

Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department ruled Friday that the extradition of convicted drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the United States can go forward.

The process can still be appealed, meaning it could be weeks, months or even longer before the Sinaloa cartel leader may be sent to the U.S., where he is wanted in multiple jurisdictions on charges related to drug trafficking and organized crime.

Guzman’s lawyers now have 30 days to appeal the decision, and they have said they will.

The department said in a statement Friday that the United States has provided “adequate guarantees” that Guzman would not face the death penalty. Mexico has abolished capital punishment and does not extradite its citizens if they face possible execution.

A U.S. official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said, “We have agreed not to seek the death penalty, which is consistent with our extradition assurance policies with Mexico.”

Jose Refugio Rodriguez, one of Guzman’s lawyers, said Friday the legal team planned to appeal the decision all the way to Mexico’s Supreme Court, and possibly to international tribunals.