Drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son kidnapped in Mexico, says official

The son of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was among the six who were abducted from upscale restaurant, La Leche, in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco state, Mexico. The news was confirmed by Jalisco Attorney General Eduardo Almaguer at a press conference on Tuesday (16 August) evening.

Jesus Alfredo Guzman, 29, was kidnapped in the early hours of Monday, Almaguer said. "At this moment, we have identified four of the kidnapped, one of them being Jesus Alfredo Guzman," he added.

"I want to be precise that Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar is the son of Joaquin Guzman. This is how we have given the credit and name with the information found in a vehicle as well as through our investigation. Also, through the eyewitness reports," he was quoted as saying to CNN.

Alfredo's abduction confirmation comes after earlier reports speculated that Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, another son of "El Chapo", was kidnapped from the same place. Meanwhile, Pablo Badillo, attorney for the Guzman family said it was "very likely" that Archivaldo was kidnapped from the restaurant.

It is suspected that the kidnappings were done by Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — considered the rivals of Guzman's long-dominant Sinaloa cartel and believed to be envious of his vast criminal empire.

The Mexican army along with federal police, state police and the country's prosecution office are working together to find the missing individuals.

"El Chapo" became Mexico's top drug lord in 2003 after the arrest of his rival, Osiel Cardenas of the Gulf Cartel. He is considered as the most powerful drug trafficker in the world by the US Department of the Treasury.

His son's kidnapping comes just two months after more than 100 armed men looted the Sinaloa home of his elderly mother, Consuelo Loero Guzman, the Guardian reported.