According to the AP, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department ruled that the extradition of convicted drug lord ‘El Chapo’ to the United States can proceed. El Chapo—real name Joaquin Guzman, is wanted in multiple jurisdictions in the United States for organized crime and drug trafficking, which is why prosecutors in the states are seeking his extradition.

In a statement made on Friday by the Foreign Relations Department, they noted that the United States has given “adequate guarantees” that El Chapo would not be subject to the death penalty, since Mexico has abolished the death penalty. Mexico also will not extradite their own citizens if they are facing possible execution.

El Chapo’s lawyers have 30 days to appeal the decision made by Mexico, and they intend to. Former head of International Operations for the U.S.D.A. Mike Vigil commented on Chapo and his lawyers’ potential rebuttal, saying “”As long as they have access to their criminal infrastructure, they can intimidate or they can bribe, and I’m sure that right now, Chapo Guzman is going to be scrambling, trying to intimidate government officials, because he will fight it to the bitter end. That could lead to violence against the government, to intimidate violence against the judicial system, against individuals that will have something to do with his extradition, and if he can’t get to them, he’ll go after their families.”

Chapo will be under 24-hour surveillance until his potential extradition.

Source: bigstory.ap.org