El Chapo's son released a week after kidnapping, reports say

Jesus Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, 29, was kidnapped along with five other men while having dinner at a Puerto Vallarta restaurant

An armoured state police vehicle patrols outside of the restaurant, La Leche, after the kidnapping of El Chapo's son Hector Guerrero/Getty

The son of the imprisoned Mexican cartel kingpin, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, has been freed a week after his kidnapping in Puerto Vallarta amid concerns of a war brewing between rival cartels in Mexico.

AFP said that an unnamed member of the cartel leader’s family confirmed the release of Jesus Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, 29, and five others who were kidnapped last week.

“They were negotiating all this time, but now are free and well,” the source said, adding that the men had already returned to their homes in Sinaloa.

A Mexican government official also confirmed news of the release to CNN under condition of anonymity.

AFP and CNN offer conflicting reports as to whether Mr Guzmán Salazar was released on Friday or Saturday.

The Mexico Attorney General’s office did not confirm knowledge of the release, and said they are “still working on the investigation”.

Mr Guzmán Salazar was kidnapped with five others on 15 August when a group of gunmen stormed a high-end restaurant, La Leche, in the beach resort city.

The Jalisco state attorney identified Mr Guzmán Salazar based on security footage of the night of the kidnapping.

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Investigators presume a rival cartel, Jalisco New Generation, is behind the kidnapping, which is seen as a blow to the dominating Sinaloa cartel as their leader, El Chapo, remains behind bars.

The kidnapping raised concerns of an all out war between the rival cartels if Mr Guzmán Salazar was not released.

Mexican authorities have not confirmed that it was, in fact, the upstart cartel behind the armed abduction. In years past, the Jalisco New Generation has emerged as a violent force in Mexico, known for their ambushes against the state.

Jalisco New Generation put the Mexican armed forces on the defensive last year when they shot down a military helicopter, killing seven soldiers.

“The full force of the Mexican state will be felt in the state of Jalisco,” said Mexican national security commissioner Alejandro Rubido in the aftermath of the attack. “Satisfactory results will start to be seen very soon."