El Chapo's Cartel Launches Military-Style Assault On Mexican Forces

National Post/Washington Post/Reuters: El Chapo's cartel launches military-style assault on Mexican forces, securing his son's release from custody

Mexican officials briefly detained Ovidio Guzman, but as the cartel freed prisoners from a local jail and turned Culiacán into a war zone, they let him go

Heavy gunfire consumed the streets of Culiacán on Thursday, as Mexican security forces struggled to fend off members of the Sinaloa cartel, once led by notorious drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Members of the cartel deployed across the city with military-grade weapons, a remarkable, live-streamed glimpse into their ability to overwhelm the state.

Mexican officials briefly detained Ovidio Guzman, one of Guzman’s sons who has emerged as a leading figure in the cartel after his father was arrested in 2016. But as the cartel took to the streets, apparently freeing dozens of prisoners and turning the city into an urban war zone, Mexican authorities decided to release Guzman.

Security Minister Alfonso Durazo told Reuters that Guzman was released to protect lives; reports indicate the cartel took eight government soldiers hostage, as a bargaining chip to secure the cartel heir’s release.

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WNU Editor: Mexico's President is defending the actions taken by the security forces .... Mexican president defends retreat in face of cartel gunmen (AP).

More News On Today's Firefight In Mexico

Gunbattles rattle Mexican city after troops find Chapo’s son -- AP
'Failure:' Mexico admits bungled arrest of kingpin's son amid mayhem -- Reuters
Gunfight rages in Mexico after troops arrest then release El Chapo’s son -- France 24
El Chapo's son caught and released by Mexican police after intense gunfight -- ABC News Online
Mexico: Shootout rages in El Chapo's Sinaloa cartel stronghold -- DW
'We do not want war': Mexico president defends release of El Chapo’s son -- The Guardian
Police release El Chapo's son amid shootout with Sinaloa drug cartel -- UPI
El Chapo: Mexican president says police 'did right' to free drug lord's son -- BBC
Cartel gunmen terrorize Mexican city, free El Chapo's son -- Reuters
Gun battle thwarts Mexico attempt to arrest son of 'El Chapo' -- Al Jazeera