Narcotics chief's son arrested “El Chapo”

Guzman was captured by federal police once in 2019, but he was released just hours later for fear that his imprisonment would lead to more violence.

Although President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at the time expressed support for the decision, he was considered a shameful obstacle in Mexico's fight against the cartels.

A shootout broke out between members of the Sinaloa cartel and Mexican security services in all parts of the town of Culiacan on Thursday.

Culiacan residents were told not to leave their homes after police set up roadblocks.

Obrador said a federal police operation was under way in the country, but added that he could not provide further details at the moment.

Videos posted in social media showed chaotic scenes at an airport in Culiacan, about buildings and roads.

Later, Culiacan Airport wrote on Twitter that it would be closed at least until 10:00 local time.

Authorities told reporters that the operation was still active late Thursday morning, as security services tried to “contain the Guzman family's <x1.

Family Business

Guzman, 32, is thought to have been involved in his father's drug - trafficking operation since he was a teenager. Authorities believe he has played an even more direct role since El Chapo was arrested in 2016.

Once considered the most powerful drug dealer in the world, El Chapo was extradited to the United States, where he is serving a life sentence on charges of running the Sinaloa cartel.

The United States had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest or condemnation of Ovidio.

Obrador took office in 2018 promising to approach the cartels differently because his ancestors ' drug - fighting tactics failed to contain traffic.

However, four years in his six - year term, drug - related violence remains widespread in Mexico