Ovidio Guzmán-López: Twenty-nine people died as El Chapo’s kid was being arrested.

Mexican police have reported that at least 29 individuals lost their lives in a violent operation to apprehend Ovidio Guzmán-López, the son of drug lord “El Chapo.” Guzmán-López, suspected of being a leader of his father’s previous cartel, was apprehended in Culiacán and transported by air to Mexico City. However, 10 soldiers and 19 suspects were murdered during and after the capture. Enraged gang members attacked planes at a nearby airport, set fire to many cars, and erected roadblocks. Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval reported that 21 gunmen had been apprehended and 35 more military members had been hurt.

Guzmán-López is charged with heading a branch of the infamous Sinaloa cartel, which is his father’s organization and one of the biggest drug trafficking groups in the world. The six-month surveillance operation to capture Guzmán-López had the support of United States officials. The US had put out a reward of up to $5m (£4.2m) for information leading to his arrest or conviction, as well as that of three of his brothers who are also thought to have kept their positions of command in the group.

Mexican President Andrés López Obrador said Mexican forces had acted responsibly to look after the civilian population and avoid innocent victims. No civilian deaths have yet been reported. A further 1,000 troops are being sent to Sinaloa to help with ongoing security measures.

Mexican security forces had previously arrested Guzmán-López in 2019 but released him to avoid the threat of violence from his supporters. The US State Department says he and his brother Joaquín are currently overseeing approximately 11 methamphetamine labs in the state of Sinaloa, producing an estimated 1,300-2,200kg (3,000-5,000lb) of the drug per month.