Mexico starts proceedings to extradite ‘El Chapo’ to U.S.

Marco Ugarte / AP

Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is escorted by soldiers and Marines to a waiting helicopter at a federal hangar Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, in Mexico City.

By The Associated Press

Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 | 7:23 p.m.

Mexico's government has notified recaptured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman that he is wanted in the United States, formally beginning extradition proceedings against him.

The Attorney General's Office said Sunday in a statement that Guzman was told that two arrest warrants from the U.S. are being processed. The notification was done by agents of the international police agency Interpol at the maximum security prison where Guzman is being held.

Guzman was recaptured Friday, six months after breaking out of a Mexican prison.

Officials have cautioned that the extradition process might take a while. Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo has said that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.