Post date: Jun 23, 2012 12:25:14 AM
GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, MEXICO (JUNE 22, 2012) (REUTERS) - The mother of the suspect alleged to be the son of Mexico's most wanted man, drug lord Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, called a news conference in Guadalajara on Friday (June 22) to tell media Mexican authorities have the wrong man.
The mother of a man arrested and touted as the son of Mexico's most notorious drug trafficker says he is not who authorities say he is.
Fronted by her lawyer, mother Elodia Leon claims her son Felix Beltran Leon is the victim of mistaken identity and has no relation to the infamous drug trafficker.
On Thursday (June 21) authorities in Mexico presented a suspect they said was Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, alias "El Gordo", the alleged son of Joaquin Guzman.
Lawyer Veronica Guerrero denied all charges against the chief suspect and said the family were worried the high-profile arrest has tainted the reputation of the detainee.
"None of the two detainees respond to the name or correspond to the person referred to as Jesus Alfredo Guzman. What is affecting the family and suspects terribly is for the widespread publicity which has realised and tainted their personal reputation," she said.
A distraught Leon told journalists a her son is not "El Chapo's" and she has never met the drug lord.
"No, they (authorities) are confusing him incorrectly. Because he is my son and not the son of "El Chapo" (Joaquin Guzman) or no one else. I don't know this person (Joaquin Guzman)," she said.
The second suspect arrested alongside "El Chapo's" alleged son is said to be half-brother Kevin Daniel Beltran.
Mexico's navys claim the suspects were in possession of arms, grenades and large sums of cash when they were arrested in the western state of Jalisco. Authorities say their chief suspect is thought to be a key member of the Sinaloa Cartel in charge of the drug lord's assets and are working towards proving the identity of the suspect.
The high-profile arrest comes just over week before Mexico votes for a new president. The ruling National Action Party (PAN) has lost support due to the spiralling drug violence ravaging the country.
Last month the U.S. Treasury said Americans were banned from doing any business with two of Guzman's sons, who were identified as Ivan Guzman and Ovidio Guzman, under the terms of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.