Another Son of ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán to Plead Guilty in US Drug Trafficking Case

Chicago, IL – Joaquín Guzmán López, son of the infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is set to plead guilty to drug trafficking charges in a federal court in Illinois on December 1st, according to a court filing released Friday. This development marks another significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and follows a recent wave of high-profile arrests and plea deals within the organization.

The plea comes after Guzmán López reportedly cooperated with U.S. authorities by providing information leading to the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a long-time partner of his father, in late July. Zambada’s capture is seen as a pivotal moment, fracturing the Sinaloa Cartel into warring factions.

A Family Affair: Following in His Brother’s Footsteps

Guzmán López’s anticipated guilty plea makes him the second of El Chapo’s sons to admit to criminal wrongdoing in the United States. His brother, Ovidio Guzmán, known as “El Ratón” (The Mouse), pleaded guilty to similar charges in Chicago on July 11th. Both cases are being overseen by Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman.

Ovidio Guzmán’s arrest and extradition to the U.S. were preceded by dramatic events. A 2019 attempt to detain him in Culiacán, Mexico, triggered a fierce gun battle with Mexican security forces, ultimately leading to his release by the government of then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in an effort to quell the violence. His subsequent capture in January 2023 and extradition marked a turning point.

From Cocaine Purchases to Cartel Operator

While Ovidio Guzmán demonstrated a capacity for direct confrontation – even engaging in firefights with the Mexican Army – Joaquín Guzmán López operated more discreetly. According to the U.S. Department of State, he began his criminal career by investing his father’s vast wealth into purchasing large quantities of marijuana in Mexico and cocaine in Colombia.

Following his father’s 2017 arrest, Guzmán López became a key operator within the Sinaloa Cartel, managing its logistics and finances. However, with his arrest and the capture of “El Mayo” Zambada, the cartel’s influence in Mexico has demonstrably weakened, creating an opportunity for rival organizations like the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) to expand their territory.

The Power Vacuum in Sinaloa

The arrests and plea deals have ignited a power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel, dividing it into two main factions: “La Chapiza,” loyal to the Guzmán family, and “La Mayiza,” aligned with Ismael Zambada. This conflict has transformed Culiacán, the cartel’s stronghold, into a battleground.

“The Sinaloa Cartel is at a crossroads,” says Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor of government and public policy at George Mason University specializing in Mexican drug cartels. “The loss of key leadership and the internal divisions are creating a volatile situation that could lead to increased violence and instability in the region.”

The U.S. government has been aggressively targeting the Sinaloa Cartel for decades, recognizing its role in fueling the opioid crisis and contributing to violence on both sides of the border. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the cartel is responsible for a significant portion of the fentanyl and other illicit drugs trafficked into the United States.

The ongoing legal proceedings against members of the Guzmán family represent a continued effort to dismantle the organization and hold its leaders accountable for their crimes.