Five years after the first failed operation to capture him, Ovidio Guzmán Lopez was extradited to the United States and now 17 members of his family have surrendered to the FBI after negotiations took place.
The son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and one of the more visible leaders of Los Chapitos, went from being one of the heirs to the Sinaloa Cartel drug empire to a being held at Chicago MDC to cooperating with the United States government and providing information on organized crime in Mexico.
He was arrested twice, but was released the first time in 2019 following a near takeover of Culiacan by cartel gunmen with shootouts, roadblocks and several deaths.
During his capture in January 2023, 10 soldiers and 19 Chapiza gunmen died. The second Culiacanazo also included gunmen targeting commercial airplanes in order to shut down air traffic at the airport in Culiacan as Ovidio was being transferred out of the region following his arrest.
After being extradited last year, Ovidio remained in Chicago MDC awaiting his trial. Then on July 23, 2024 he was no longer in BOP custody, later confirmed he was in protective custody with US Marshals. Three days later, his brother Joaquin joined him in the US on a private jet that landed in a small airport outside of El Paso, Texas.
It is suspected that at least two police officers, working for “El Mayo” as bodyguards, and prominent politician Hector Cuen were killed when his brother Joaquin orchestrated the kidnapping and surrendering of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel and former partner of their father “El Chapo.”
Since then, hundreds have been killed and even more kidnapped and tortured during an internal war between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Now, his wife, children, mother and a dozen other relatives are safe inside of the United States.
Guilty Plea Planned
Since October 2024, Ovidio has not been in federal prison and rumors of deals being negotiated were later confirmed.
On May 5 of this year, it was announced that Ovidio Guzmán López will plead guilty to federal drug trafficking charges he faces in the U.S., according to a new court filing.
The leaked file indicates that Ovidio Guzmán will appear at a plea hearing on July, 9 in federal court in Chicago. The court requested a copy of the plea agreement, indicating a deal has been reached in the case.
Ovidio’s Family Arrives
Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed that 17 relatives of Ovidio Guzmán voluntarily surrendered to US authorities. The family members were greeted by FBI and US Marshals agents after crossing the San Ysidro border crossing on the Tijuana-San Diego border.
Their arrival was first reported by Luis Chaparro stating “The family reportedly arrived with several suitcases, at least two brand-name suitcases for each member, and together they carried more than $70,000 in cash. The family landed from Culiacán, Tijuana, and went to the San Ysidro border crossing, where FBI agents were already waiting for them,” the journalist noted.
“Ovidio’s family surrendered to US authorities. It’s very clear that they entered into a negotiation or opportunity with the Department of Justice. They were already waiting for them in the United States,” García Harfuch said.
He said that none of the family members were being pursued by Mexican authorities and that the government of US President Donald Trump “has to share information” with Mexican prosecutors, something it has not yet done.
Griselda López Perez, ex-wife of “El Chapo” and mother of Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán, was designated as an operator of the Sinaloa Cartel by the US Treasury Department and was sanctioned by OFAC in 2012. The press release stated that the OFAC was designating Griselda Lopez Perez for her role in the operations of Chapo’s drug trafficking organization, including her efforts to assist him in evading justice.
Additionally, Griselda Lopez Perez provided material support to the drug trafficking activities of her husband.
President Claudia Sheinbaum requested more information from the United States and questioned the US policy of not negotiating with terrorists, after the Trump administration declared Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel as terrorist organizations.
Both Ovidio and Joaquin have been charged and designated as Sinaloa Cartel leaders. Their mother Griselda was sanctioned as being part of the cartel as well.
