El Chapo 'files US extradition challenge'

A Mexican newspaper reports drug boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's lawyers have filed a legal challenge against his extradition to the US.

Mexico has approved the extradition of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the US. (AAP) Source: AAP

Lawyers for Mexican drug boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman have filed a legal challenge against a decision by the foreign ministry to approve his extradition to the United States, a newspaper reports.

A judge granted him "provisional suspension", meaning that the foreign ministry has 48 hours to present a report justifying its decision, Mexican newspaper El Universal reported.

Mexico's foreign ministry approved Guzman's extradition to the US earlier in May, and said it had received guarantees that the death penalty would not be sought against him.