'El Chapo' Guzman Associates Captured In Guatemala As Manhunt For Escaped Cartel Leader Continues, Local Media Reports

Three kingpins with ties to escaped cartel leader "El Chapo" Guzmán were reportedly arrested in Guatemala on Tuesday, according to Guatemalan radio station Radio Sonora. The outlet reported that Bered Morales, Wilmer Palacios and Danny Rosales were arrested by Guatemalan officials. DEA agents reportedly participated in the operation. In 1993 El Chapo was imprisoned in Guatemala country and later extradited to Mexico, where he escaped. After his most recent escape from a supermax prison in Mexico, he's become one of the most wanted men in the Western Hemisphere. All three men are alleged to have links with Guzmán, the Sinaloa cartel leader who has a long history in Guatemala. The are also wanted by the U.S. and have already been named in extradition requests, according to the report.

Guatemalan officials said that beefed up border security following Guzmán’s release on the suspicious that he may attempt to flee Mexico. President Otto Pérez Molina announced last Friday (17) that his country was doing it’s best to help catch Guzmán.

“We are putting forth our best effort [to detain the Sinaloa cartel leader],” saying that he maintained “broad and total communication” with Mexican officials in case of a possible fleeing by Guzmán to Guatemala, Emisoras Unidos reported .

Juan Victo Castillo of Radio Sonora broke the story, tweeting "Breaking Bered Morales, Wilmer Palacios and Danny Rosales alleged narco chiefs captured; colaborators of El Chapo."

Update: DEA officials did not respond to repeated requests for comment.