First Son of "El Chapo" Enters Guilty Plea in U.S. Drug Trafficking Case
A son of infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in the United States, marking a significant development as he becomes the first among the kingpin’s sons to forge a plea agreement.
Ovidio Guzmán López and his brother, Joaquín Guzmán López, are accused of managing a division of the Sinaloa cartel, known locally as the "Chapitos," or "little Chapos." U.S. federal authorities have characterized their operation in 2023 as a comprehensive initiative to traffic substantial amounts of fentanyl across the border.
In a plea arrangement, Guzmán López acknowledged his involvement in the production and smuggling of significant quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl into the United States, contributing to an ongoing crisis resulting in numerous overdose fatalities each year.
Guzmán López’s charges include drug trafficking, money laundering, and gun-related offenses connected to his leadership within the cartel. Specifics regarding the plea deal, such as sentencing suggestions or any agreements related to cooperation, have not been immediately made public.
Rumors of a potential deal have been circulating for several months as negotiations took place behind closed doors. Jeffrey Lichtman, representing the brothers, indicated he would withhold comments on the deal’s merits until after Guzmán López’s sentencing: "We will evaluate it then."
The sentencing for Guzmán López has been adjourned temporarily while he collaborates with U.S. authorities, a commitment made during his plea. His ability to avoid a life sentence will depend on the assessment of how well he fulfills the terms of his agreement.
While Lichtman expressed uncertainty about the possibility of a similar plea deal for Joaquín Guzmán López, he noted that the legal circumstances can vary dramatically between cases. "Joaquín was apprehended in the U.S. significantly later than Ovidio," he explained, which may prolong the process.
Laurie Levenson, a law professor and former federal prosecutor, opined that Guzmán López’s guilty plea might protect other family members. "He may have some control over his cooperation and how it is perceived publicly," she remarked. Levenson distinguished this plea as a pivotal moment for the U.S. government, suggesting that Guzmán López could reveal crucial details about cartel operations.
"This is a substantial development," she stated, emphasizing that insider information is vital for undermining cartel activities.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the inconsistencies in American policy regarding Mexican cartels, pointing out the contradiction between labeling them as foreign terrorist organizations while simultaneously negotiating plea agreements with their leaders.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2019 for overseeing the Sinaloa cartel, which trafficked vast amounts of drugs into the U.S. over a span of 25 years.
The Guzmán brothers are believed to have taken over their father’s previous position at the helm of the cartel. Ovidio was detained in Mexico in 2023 and subsequently extradited to the U.S. Initially pleading not guilty, he has since indicated a willingness to modify his plea.
Joaquín Guzmán López, alongside another high-ranking Sinaloa figure, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was arrested in Texas in July 2024 after arriving in the U.S. via private aircraft. Both have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges. Their apprehension has prompted escalating violence in Sinaloa, where rival factions of the cartel have clashed.
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