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AFP
MEXICO CITY
A MEXICAN judge mulled on Monday whether Joaquin"El Chapo" Guzman can be extradited to the United States, but the drug kingpin's lawyers vowed to appeal if he loses.
One of Guzman's lawyers, Jose Refugio Rodriguez, told AFP that the Sinaloa drug cartel leader was"very serene" as he waits for the decision by a court in Mexico City.
The foreign ministry gave the green light to Guzman's extradition in May, but the former most wanted man won a temporary injunction in June, which the judge must decide whether to make permanent or strike down.
The hearing began before midday on Monday, an official at the court told AFP.
"We hope that the result will be favorable," Refugio Rodriguez said, adding that if the judge rules on Monday, Guzman's defense team would only be notified the next day.
If the judge approves the extradition, Guzman would have 10 days to appeal to a higher court of appeals, which would then take several weeks to rule, the lawyer said, warning that he would take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
A US government official told AFP on condition of anonymity that Guzman could be in US custody before the end of the year. He faces charges ranging from murder to drug distribution in courts in Texas and California.
