US Holds Firm: Ambassador Ken Salazar Shuts Down Rumors of Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán López’s Release from Prison
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s Arrest Linked to Ovidio Guzmán’s Release
US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, Confirms Ovidio Guzmán Remains in Custody
Mexico City, September 3 – The United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, has confirmed that Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, remains in prison despite speculation about his release. This comes after the Office of the Attorney General (FGR) announced that it does not know the whereabouts of Ovidio Guzmán López, who was released two days before the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
“Los Chapitos are still in prison, they are still in custody and they are not going to get out,” said Ken Salazar in a press conference.
According to FGR investigations, Ovidio was released from prison on July 23, two days before “El Mayo” was arrested in the United States. The authorities did not know the location of “El Ratón” in the neighboring country, where it was speculated that he was integrated into the protected witness protection program in the United States.
FGRInforma | In the investigation into the case of Ismael “N” and Joaquín “N”, the FGR obtain evidentiary data from a chronological sequence, which begins with the release of Ovidio “G” from a high security prison in USA two days before the alleged kidnapping of Ismael “N”… pic.twitter.com/iXCpuV3pPf
— FGR México (@FGRMexico) August 29, 2024
Ken Salazar reiterated his position by not talking about the investigation into the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, where he asked for respect for the legal processes to continue the investigations. “It is being investigated. The investigations must be respected,” he said.
Nicole Navas, spokesperson for the Department of Justice, ensured that Ovidio Guzmán López remains in the custody of the authorities and that a hearing is planned as part of the charge against him for drug trafficking.
“Ovidio Guzmán López remains in the custody of the United States and his next court date is October 1, 2024 at 10:15 before United States District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the Northern District of Illinois,” said Nicole Navas.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the President of Mexico, assured that Ovidio Guzmán, the son of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, a drug trafficker better known as “El Chapo”, had not sought protection to avoid his extradition to the United States.
The FGR is currently conducting an investigation into the case, where they are charging the crimes of illegal flight; illegal use of air facilities; breaching immigration and customs legislation; kidnapping; treason to the country; and what results.