Joaquín Guzmán has formally requested extradition from the United States to Mexico while serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison. He claims violations of his legal rights during his incarceration.
Guzmán is currently held at the high-security ADX Florence facility in Colorado. His handwritten letter requesting extradition was dated April 23 and received by the court on May 1. In this letter, he argues that his case involves violations of due process and requests to stand trial on outstanding charges in Mexico.
Guzmán’s legal team has raised concerns about his treatment in prison. They describe conditions as harsh and inhumane, stating he has been held under Special Administrative Measures that involve extreme isolation. Reports indicate he has experienced weight loss and episodes of tachycardia.
Since his conviction in 2019 for multiple counts related to drug trafficking, Guzmán has pursued appeals, though previous efforts have been unsuccessful. He was extradited from Mexico to the United States in 2017 under a bilateral agreement.
There is no publicly known mechanism for a convicted federal inmate like Guzmán to be transferred back to Mexico. His life sentence includes an additional 30 years added after his conviction. The next ruling regarding his extradition request is expected from Judge Brian Cogan.
