El Chapo closer to US trial as Mexico starts extradition process - Mexico's government has notified recaptured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman that he is wanted in the U.S., formally beginning extradition proceedings against him.

The officials have said the process could take a long time as Guzman's lawyers file legal appeals and maneuver to keep their client in Mexico.

Mexican agents assigned to the Interpol served two arrest warrants to the drug kingpin, who is being held at the Altiplano prison following his capture by Mexican marines on Friday, according to the attorney general's office.

Guzman's lawyers has 3 days to present arguments against extradition and twenty days to present supporting evidence, beyond the many other appeals they have already started filing.

The drug kingpin is wanted in various US states and his July escape embarrassed the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto and strained ties between the US.

The defence has already filed 6 motions to challenge extradition requests, Guzman's lawyer, Juan Pablo Badillo said.

The quickest Guzman could be extradited would be 6 months, but even that is not likely because of the many appeals filed by his lawyers, according to a Mexican law enforcement official. He said that the appeals are normally turned down, but each one means a judge has to schedule a hearing.

On Friday, Guzman was caught after a shoot-out between gunmen and Mexican marines at a house in Los Mochis, a seaside city in his home state of Sinaloa. 5 suspects were killed and 6 others arrested. One marine was injured.