A son of convicted Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in the United States, marking another significant development in the government’s long-running effort to dismantle key factions of the Sinaloa cartel. Joaquin Guzman Lopez entered his plea in a Chicago federal courtroom, months after his brother Ovidio Guzman Lopez agreed to a separate deal with prosecutors. The two siblings, known in Mexico as the “Chapitos,” have been under scrutiny for years as alleged operators of a powerful cartel faction that authorities say helped drive a surge in fentanyl distribution across U.S. communities.
Prosecutors said Joaquin Guzman Lopez admitted to two counts, including drug trafficking and participation in a continuing criminal enterprise. The plea is expected to carry substantial penalties and reflects the government’s broader strategy to target individuals believed to oversee production and transportation networks responsible for large volumes of illicit substances. Authorities have linked the cartel faction to sizable shipments of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, substances that have contributed to escalating overdose fatalities in the United States.
Guzman Lopez was arrested in July 2024 in Texas alongside longtime Sinaloa cartel figure Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The men arrived on a private aircraft before being detained by federal agents. Their arrests triggered a series of violent confrontations in Mexico’s northern state of Sinaloa, where rival groups within the cartel engaged in armed clashes amid efforts to regain control of territory and influence.
In court, Guzman Lopez acknowledged overseeing aspects of drug production and smuggling operations that he admitted had far-reaching impacts. His legal team expressed appreciation for how the case has been handled, noting cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities. His attorney said the process had unfolded fairly and added that the absence of interference from Mexico helped facilitate the proceedings.
The plea comes after Ovidio Guzman Lopez became the first of El Chapo’s sons to formally admit guilt in a U.S. case. His July plea included charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses, with prosecutors describing his role as central to the cartel’s operational structure. Analysts have viewed the brothers’ decisions as significant milestones for federal investigators who have spent decades pursuing senior members of the Sinaloa cartel.
Their father, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is serving a life sentence in a U.S. federal prison after being convicted in 2019 for leading the cartel over a 25-year period during which he facilitated large-scale drug shipments into the United States. Authorities allege that his sons assumed similar responsibilities within the organization following his arrest and extradition, helping direct an operation that continued to exert substantial influence across Mexico and beyond.
The latest plea marks another step in the U.S. government’s prosecution of individuals accused of fueling the nation’s fentanyl crisis and trafficking networks. As the case moves forward, federal officials are expected to outline additional details related to sentencing and broader investigative efforts targeting the cartel’s remaining leadership.
