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Son of Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo' captured Heavy fighting erupts in Mexican city
(about 3 hours later)
Mexican security forces have arrested one of the sons of notorious drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, local officials say. There has been heavy fighting in northern Mexico between the security forces and members of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel after one of the group's leaders was discovered.
They say this happened in the western city of Culiacán, the stronghold of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel. Ovidio Guzmán López was picked up during a routine patrol in Culiacán.
The capture of Ovidio Guzmán López triggered heavy gun battles between suspected cartel members and the security forces across the city. He is the son of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, who was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years in the US.
In July, Guzmán was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years in the US. Guzmán, 62, had been found guilty in New York of 10 charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Guzmán, 62, had been found guilty by a court in New York on 10 charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
He escaped a Mexican jail through a tunnel in 2015, but was later arrested. He was extradited to the United States in 2017.He escaped a Mexican jail through a tunnel in 2015, but was later arrested. He was extradited to the United States in 2017.
Guzmán is a former head of the Sinaloa cartel, which officials say was the biggest supplier of drugs to the US. Joaquin Guzmán is a former head of the Sinaloa cartel, which officials say was the biggest supplier of drugs to the US.
What happened in Culiacán?What happened in Culiacán?
The state government say Ovidio Guzmán was found in a house by a police patrol on a routine search.
It says cartel members subsequently launched the huge attack in an attempt to wrestle him back from the authorities.
Ovidio Guzmán, said to be in his 20s, is believed to have played a key role in the Sinaloa cartel, following the arrest of his father.Ovidio Guzmán, said to be in his 20s, is believed to have played a key role in the Sinaloa cartel, following the arrest of his father.
He is wanted in the US on several drug-related charges, Mexican media report.He is wanted in the US on several drug-related charges, Mexican media report.
News of his arrest on Thursday led to heavy shooting across the city, which is the capital of Sinaloa state. It is unclear whether he is now in detention.
There have been no official reports of fatalities, but pictures have emerged apparently showing dead bodies on the streets of the city.
The Sinaloa state government said it was "working to restore calm and order in the face of the high-impact incidents that have occurred in recent hours in various points around Culiacán", AFP news agency reports.The Sinaloa state government said it was "working to restore calm and order in the face of the high-impact incidents that have occurred in recent hours in various points around Culiacán", AFP news agency reports.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he would make a statement later on Thursday. 'City under siege'
By BBC Mexico correspondent Will Grant
The footage of the gun battle shows sustained fighting with heavy weaponry in the main commercial district of Culiacán.
The cartel gunmen driving pick-up trucks with machine guns mounted on them clashed with the police and the army in the streets - causing panic in shopping centres and restaurants.
Images show a city under siege with cars and jeeps set on fire and a large deployment of military vehicles.
In the middle of the chaos, a jail break involving a number of prisoners also apparently took place in the city as the cartel tried to sow greater confusion in the effort to recover their leader.
What was El Chapo's role in Mexico's drug trade?What was El Chapo's role in Mexico's drug trade?
"El Chapo" (or "Shorty") ran the Sinaloa cartel across northern Mexico."El Chapo" (or "Shorty") ran the Sinaloa cartel across northern Mexico.
Over time, it became one of the biggest traffickers of drugs to the US. In 2009, Guzmán entered Forbes' list of the world's richest men at number 701, with an estimated worth of $1bn (£775m).Over time, it became one of the biggest traffickers of drugs to the US. In 2009, Guzmán entered Forbes' list of the world's richest men at number 701, with an estimated worth of $1bn (£775m).
He was accused of having helped export hundreds of tonnes of cocaine into the US and of conspiring to manufacture and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.He was accused of having helped export hundreds of tonnes of cocaine into the US and of conspiring to manufacture and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.
He was also said to have used hitmen to carry out "hundreds" of murders, assaults, kidnappings and acts of torture on rivals.He was also said to have used hitmen to carry out "hundreds" of murders, assaults, kidnappings and acts of torture on rivals.
Key associates, including one former lieutenant, testified against Guzmán.Key associates, including one former lieutenant, testified against Guzmán.