Chicago – A son of the infamous Mexican cartel boss “El Chapo” entered a guilty plea on Monday to U.S. drug‑trafficking charges, following a similar deal his brother had reached earlier.
Locally, the brothers are known as the “Chapitos,” or “little Chapos.” Joaquin Guzmán Lopez and Ovidio Guzmán Lopez are alleged to have overseen a segment of the Sinaloa Cartel. In 2023 federal investigators described their operation as a large‑scale attempt to funnel enormous amounts of fentanyl into the United States.
Joaquin Guzmán Lopez admitted guilt on two counts of drug trafficking and participation in a continuing criminal enterprise. His co‑accused, veteran Sinaloa figure Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, was also taken into custody in July 2024 in Texas after flying in on a private jet. The arrests spurred an uptick in violence in northern Sinaloa, where two cartel factions clashed.
Under the plea agreement, Joaquin admitted he helped manage the production and smuggling of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl into the U.S., fueling a public‑health crisis that has killed tens of thousands each year.
Defender Jeffrey Lichtman praised the cooperation of both U.S. and Mexican authorities, noting that “the government has been very fair with Joaquin thus far,” and that he appreciated the Mexican government’s non‑interference.
In July, Ovidio Guzmán Lopez became the first son of El Chapo to accept a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to charges involving drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms, linked to his leadership within the cartel. Analysts view the arrangement as a major win for U.S. prosecutors targeting the Sinaloa organization.
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán is presently serving a life sentence after a 2019 conviction for over 25 years of smuggling bulk cocaine and other narcotics into America. The two brothers are believed to have stepped into their father’s former leadership role in the cartel.
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