Two sons of infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán who are facing sweeping drug-trafficking charges are in plea negotiations with U.S. prosecutors, according to attorneys on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The news comes as the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful and notorious drug trafficking organizations, is one of the driving forces behind the influx of illicit narcotics into the United States. It was previously headed by the notorious drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera, aka El Chapo, who is serving a life sentence at ADX Florence in Colorado. His sons allegedly took over the business and led a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico after his arrest.
Guzmán's sons have since led the "Chapitos," or little Chapos, faction that has been identified as a main exporter of fentanyl to the U.S., fueling an epidemic that claims thousands of American lives each year.
In 2023, federal prosecutors unsealed sprawling indictments against dozens of members of the Sinaloa cartel, including the brothers, in a fentanyl-trafficking investigation.
What To Know
The revelation that brothers Ovidio Guzmán López, 34, and Joaquín Guzmán López, 38, are in plea negotiations came during a court hearing in Chicago.
While neither appeared in court, attorneys confirmed active discussions about potential agreements.
However, prosecutors did not disclose further details during the hearing.
The plea negotiations come after Guzmán López, known for his leadership role within the cartel's "Chapitos" faction, has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his arrest earlier this year. His brother Joaquín Guzmán López, whose dramatic capture in Texas alongside cartel heavyweight Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada marked a significant victory for U.S. authorities, has similarly denied all charges.
In court filings, the FBI has described Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López as key players in orchestrating drug shipments and related violence. Zambada, who eluded authorities for years, is set to appear in a New York court next week.
The arrests also triggered a surge of violence in Mexico's northern state of Sinaloa, as rival factions within the cartel vied for control. The chaotic fallout highlighted the group's deep entrenchment in the region, despite ongoing efforts by Mexican and U.S. authorities to dismantle its operations.
The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the largest and most influential drug trafficking organizations in the world. Originating in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, the cartel has a notorious history and has played a significant role in the global drug trade, particularly in the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana.
Meanwhile, Zambada's attorney claims his client was kidnapped by Joaquin Guzmán López and brought to the U.S. aboard a private plane that landed near El Paso. The brothers' defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, who previously represented "El Chapo," dismissed these allegations calling such claims baseless and previously denied any government cooperation.
What People Are Saying
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Erskine said in court, "We need a bit more time. We're trying to explore whether there might be a global resolution."
What Happens Next
Ovidio Guzmán López is due in court February 27 while Joaquin Guzmán López's next court date is March 19.
Meanwhile, tensions remain between Mexico and the United States over the handling of drug cartel leaders and the opioid crisis.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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