Passenger David Tellez said, “As we were accelerating for take-off, we heard gunshots very close to the plane and that’s when we all fell to the ground.” Aeromexico said one of its planes was hit by gunfire in Culiacan, but no one was hurt.
The airport was due to reopen later on Friday after being closed due to the violence.
In 2019, the failed operation to arrest Ovidio ended in disgrace for López Obrador’s government. At that point, security forces briefly detained Ovidio, triggering a violent reaction from cartel loyalists and key officials who quickly released him to remove the threat of further retaliation from his operatives.
His latest capture comes ahead of a summit of North American leaders in Mexico City next week, which will be attended by US President Joe Biden. Cooperation on security is due to be on the agenda.
extradition question
The United States has been seeking Guzmán’s extradition for years.
In 2021, the State Department announced a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Known by the nickname “The Mouse,” Guzmán has been charged with conspiracy to smuggle cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States. The State Department said they inspected methamphetamine laboratories in Sinaloa responsible for producing “3,000 to 5,000 pounds” of the drug per month.
The State Department also stated that information indicated that he had ordered several assassinations, including that of a popular Mexican singer who refused to perform at his wedding.
The growing influx of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States, where it has fueled record overdose deaths, has increased pressure to catch Guzmán.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration considers the Sinaloa Cartel, along with another cartel, to be responsible for most of the fentanyl within the United States.
