A Surge of violence has erupted in Sinaloa following the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, aka El Ratón. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed the death of 29 people, including 10 military personnel and 19 members of the Sinaloa Cartel during the operation. At a press conference this morning, AMLO sent his condolences to the families and loved ones of those who fought in the line of duty:
We greatly regret the loss of life of those who did so in the line of duty, soldiers and members of the National Guard. Of all the loss of life of human beings who participated.
During the operation, Infantry Colonel Juan José Moreno Orzúa was killed along with his four bodyguards, as confirmed by Geraldine Ponce, Tepic's municipal president:
Today Mexico has lost an exemplary soldier, Colonel Juan José Moreno Orzúa, and four other brave men and women who gave their lives so that we can all live in a safer country. Rest in peace and live forever in the memory of a grateful nation.
Security forces remain in place in Culiacán
He also wanted to transmit tranquility to all the neighbors in the Culiacán area and said that the security forces are still on site to try and keep the situation under control:
We send them our solidarity, our support so that they can recover normality as soon as possible. The presence of elements of the Secretary of National Defense, the National Guard and the State Police will be maintained. This protection will be in place to prevent damage to the civilian population throughout Sinaloa. This is the decision that has been made. Fortunately, there is a calm in these times, in the last hours. I spoke with the governor, and he mentioned to me that there are no armed groups with active blockades, only the interruption in some stretches of road where we have not yet managed to remove the blocking vehicles.
The United States was not involved
With three days to go before Joe Biden's official visit to Mexico for the North American Leaders Summit, AMLO clarified that The United States had absolutely no influence in the operation or in the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, and further rejected criticisms from those who believe he received orders from across the border:
There are many theories. We certainly do not share them because we act autonomously. We act with autonomy and independence. Yes, there is cooperation and there will continue to be, but we make decisions as a sovereign government. We make these decisions in the security cabinet.
Marcelo Ebrard, secretary of foreign affairs, said that El Ratón will not be extradited for the time being as he will be subject to the country's internal legal procedures, this comment came after the United States offered a $5 million reward for his capture:
I would assume that we are going to have a process in Mexico in accordance with the law. As the extradition process progresses, we will see what elements it provides and what criteria the prosecutor's office will follow. For today, I would expect a process here.
