El Chapo’s son Ovidio Guzman is arrested in the kingpin’s home state stronghold sparking an all-out war between Mexican soldiers and heavily armed civilians loyal to the drug lord
- Authorities captured Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman’s 28-year-old son, Ovidio Guzman, on Thursday in Culiacan, Mexico
- Gunfire rocked several neighborhoods as heavily armed civilians loyal to the drug lord opened fire of Mexican security forces
- Ovidio, along with his brothers, is believed to be influential in the cartel since their father was jailed in the United States
- Heavily armed civilians in trucks were firing in the street, with some shooting what appeared to be .50-caliber sniper rifles and truck-mounted machine guns
- The civilian gunmen blocked a number of city streets with burning vehicles, which is a common tactic to make it difficult for authorities to maneuver
- Police confirmed that several inmates escaped from a prison during the chaos
A raging gun battle with high-caliber weapons has erupted in the streets of the Mexican city that is home to El Chapo’s Sinaloa cartel after security forces arrested the notorious drug kingpin’s son.
Authorities captured Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman’s 28-year-old son, Ovidio Guzman, in Culiacan on Thursday afternoon.
The gunfire rocked several neighborhoods in Culiacan as heavily armed civilians loyal to the drug lord opened fire of Mexican security forces.
Ovidio, along with his brothers, is believed to be influential in the cartel since their father was jailed in the United States. He is reportedly wanted in the U.S. on drug related charges.
A senior government source told Reuters the reports were correct after Mexican TV networks broadcast a photograph that showed Ovidio in detention.
Heavily armed gunmen in four-by-four trucks fought an intense battle against Mexican security forces on Thursday in the city of Culiacan after El Chapo’s son was arrested
El Chapo’s son Ovidio Guzman was taken into custody on Thursday. Pictured on the left is believed to be his mugshot
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters his security cabinet would give information about the situation in Sinaloa later on Thursday.
Heavily armed civilians in trucks were firing in downtown Culiacan, with some shooting what appeared to be .50-caliber sniper rifles and truck-mounted machine guns, according to Culiacan-based news outlet Riodoce.
The civilian gunmen blocked a number of city streets with burning vehicles, which is a common tactic to make it difficult for authorities to maneuver.
State police have confirmed that several prisoners escaped from a prison during the chaos. Video footage showed a group of at least 20 people running in the streets. It was not immediately clear how many had escaped.
Sinaloa public safety director Cristóbal Castañeda told Milenio television that some of the prisoners were quickly recaptured.
Vehicles and a petrol station were set on fire as the cartel gunmen roamed the city.
Civilians hid in the aisles of a supermarket, while others ran for cover in leafy suburban streets.
Heavily armed civilians in trucks were firing in downtown Culiacan, with some shooting what appeared to be .50-caliber sniper rifles and truck-mounted machine guns
Heavily armed civilians in trucks were firing in downtown Culiacan, with some shooting what appeared to be .50-caliber sniper rifles and truck-mounted machine guns
Ovidio Guzman (left), along with his brothers, is believed to be influential in the cartel since their father, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, (right) was jailed in the United States
Vehicles and a petrol station were set on fire as the cartel gunmen roamed the city. The civilian gunmen blocked a number of city streets with burning vehicles, which is a common tactic to make it difficult for authorities to maneuver
State police said there were no confirmed deaths, although two videos broadcast on Milenio showed men lying in the streets, apparently lifeless.
Sinaloa’s soccer club Dorados announced that it had cancelled its game on Thursday due to security concerns.
Sinaloa is home to the cartel by the same name, which was led by Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán. Guzman was sentenced to life in prison in the United States in July.
After Guzmán’s third arrest in 2016, an internal battle for succession began playing out. The battle was resolved with the arrest of Damaso López Nunez and his son Dámaso López Serrano, who led a rival faction.
The cartel is currently led by Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada with three of Guzman’s sons Ivan, Archivaldo and Alfredo, known as ‘los Chapitos,’ or ‘the little Chapos.’
Vehicles and a petrol station were set on fire as the cartel gunmen roamed the city
Vehicles burn in a street of Culiacan, state of Sinaloa, Mexico, on Thursday as heavily armed gunmen in four-by-four trucks fought an intense battle against Mexican security forces
A bullet ridden vehicle remains in a street of Culiacan following the intense gun battle