A major step in sending drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States for trial -- and presumably a more secure prison -- came Friday when Mexico's Foreign Relations Department approved the extradition request.

Guzman can delay the move with an appeal, but the transfer could be just weeks away. The United States Justice Department assured Mexican officials that they would not seek the death penalty as part of the deal to secure his transfer. Mexico's government does not use the death penalty.

Justice Department officials are tentatively planning to send Guzman to Brooklyn, New York, to face trial on drug-trafficking charges if he is extradited from Mexico, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

New post: "Mexico's foreign ministry grants extradition of drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to U.S." https://t.co/kiREXRNwDW

-- USA tday (@mshusa) May 20, 2016

See Also Video: Mexican Marines Raid 'El Chapo' Safe House