The arrest of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., son of the legendary Mexican boxer, was captured on video and broadcasted by Fox News Los Angeles, unleashing great commotion among the Latino community in the United States.
The arrest, which took place at noon on Thursday, July 3 in Los Angeles, shows the former world champion handcuffed and shackled, surrounded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Video of the arrest of Chavez Jr.
In the Fox News Los Angeles footage, Chavez Jr. appears calm as officers secure his waist and arms with security chains.
One of them asked him if he had any objects in his pockets, to which he calmly replied that he only had his cell phone and asked that his lawyer be informed.
The treatment by the agents, although firm, was not aggressive, and the boxer’s attitude was cooperative at all times.
The story behind the operation
The arrest of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was not accidental.
She was requested by the government of Mexico, where the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) confirmed since March 2023 the existence of an arrest warrant for her alleged involvement in organized crime and arms trafficking.
Authorities link him to Sinaloa Cartel activities.
According to U.S. immigration authorities, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. also incurred in immigration irregularities.
He entered the U.S. in August 2023 on a tourist visa and, after its expiration in February 2024, attempted to apply for permanent residency, but with fraudulent documentation.
In addition, his wife is a U.S. citizen, but with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and personal ties to a son of ‘Chapo’ Guzmán.
In deportation proceedings
Despite being labeled a “threat to public safety” in December 2024, he was not arrested at the time.
However, new findings led to his capture and the immediate activation of deportation proceedings.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is expected to be handed over to Mexican authorities in the next few hours.
Chavez family breaks silence
The athlete’s family has expressed their unconditional support following his arrest.
Through a statement released on social networks by his father, also boxer Julio César Chávez, they expressed:
“Our family is deeply saddened by the current situation,” the statement begins.
In these difficult times, we reiterate our total and unconditional support for Julio
“We have full confidence in his innocence and in his human qualities,” the statement added.
They also requested respect for due process and the avoidance of public trials that violate their dignity.
“We trust in the justice system of both Mexico and the United States, in whom we place our hope that this situation will be clarified in accordance with the law and the truth,” added the Chavez family.
“As a family, we respectfully request that due legal process be guaranteed and that early judgments that violate his dignity and that of those around him be avoided (…) We pray for a prompt resolution that clarifies the facts in favor of Julio,” concluded the pugilist’s parents.
