### Chicago Judge Delays Hearing for Ovidio Guzmán Without Explanation
**By Carlos Álvarez Acevedo, September 27, 2024**
In an unexpected turn of events, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court in Chicago has postponed the next hearing in the case against Ovidio Guzmán López, also known as “El Ratón.” The hearing, originally scheduled for October 1, 2024, has been rescheduled to October 21, 2024. No reasons were provided for this delay.
Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and an alleged leader within factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, was moved from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago on July 23, 2024, despite facing 12 charges related to drug trafficking. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ records, Guzmán López’s name appeared without the usual accents.
The 12 charges against Guzmán López range from conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine from Mexico to the United States between 2008 and 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges in previous court appearances.
His defense team, led by attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, has argued for more time to review the evidence against Guzmán López. As a result, the hearing, initially planned for September 18, 2023, was also postponed.
Guzmán López was first captured in Mexico on October 17, 2019, during a dramatic event in Culiacán known as ‘El Culiacanazo.’ After violent confrontations, he was released by orders from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He was recaptured on January 5, 2023, and extradited to the United States on September 15 of the same year.
### Secondary Article: Further Developments in the Case of Ovidio Guzmán
**Growing International Concerns Over Guzmán López’s Prosecution**
In addition to rescheduling hearings, international observers and media outlets are discussing the broader implications of Guzmán López’s legal battles. His arrest and extradition have symbolized significant cooperation between Mexican and U.S. authorities against organized crime. Yet, the frequent delays and lack of transparency in his case are raising questions about both nations’ commitment to swift justice.
The Mexican government is under increased scrutiny to address internal cartel violence, while U.S. officials face pressure to ensure that high-profile extraditions result in tangible legal outcomes. As Guzmán López remains a pivotal figure within discussions of cross-border drug trafficking, his case continues to attract widespread attention.
Some experts suggest that procedural delays might be attributed to the complexities of international law, or the vast amount of evidence that needs to be meticulously reviewed and translated. These factors contribute to a protracted legal process that could set critical precedents for future cooperation between Mexico and the United States in combating organized crime.
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