A son of the well-known Mexican drug lord “El Chapo” has admitted guilt to drug trafficking charges in the United States, following his brother’s earlier plea agreement. Joaquín Guzmán López, along with his brother Ovidio Guzmán López, known locally as the “Chapitos,” are accused of managing a faction within the Sinaloa cartel. In 2023, federal authorities described their activities as a substantial operation aimed at smuggling significant amounts of fentanyl into the U.S.
Joaquín Guzmán López, aged 39, confessed to two drug trafficking counts and ongoing criminal enterprise involvement, acknowledging his responsibility for supervising the transportation of numerous kilograms of drugs to the U.S., primarily through underground tunnels. By agreeing to the plea deal, he will evade a life sentence. Security was heightened at the federal court in Chicago before his plea, where prosecutors outlined the events leading to his dramatic apprehension with another prominent Sinaloa leader on U.S. grounds in July 2024.
Appearing in court in an orange jumpsuit and matching shoes, Guzmán López spoke sparingly. When asked about his occupation by U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman, he bluntly replied, “Drug trafficking.” Upon hearing his response, Coleman humorously remarked, “Oh, that’s your job. There you go.”
Prosecutors stated that if Guzmán López cooperates with the U.S. government, they would consider reducing the life sentence associated with his charges. Nevertheless, he is looking at a minimum of 10 years in prison, as per Andrew Erskine, a representative of the federal government. Guzmán López will not have the option to appeal the sentence under the terms of the plea agreement.
His defense lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, praised the fairness shown by both U.S. and Mexican authorities. “The government has treated Joaquin fairly thus far,” Lichtman told reporters post-hearing. “I am grateful that the Mexican government did not intervene.”
In July 2024, Guzmán López and another Sinaloa leader, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, were arrested in Texas after landing in the U.S. on a private aircraft. Both individuals had previously pleaded not guilty to diverse charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses. Their capture sparked increased violence in Mexico’s Sinaloa state as rival Sinaloa cartel factions clashed.
As part of the plea bargain, Joaquín Guzmán López confessed to facilitating the production and smuggling of substantial quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl into the U.S., contributing to an ongoing crisis and numerous overdose fatalities annually.
Moreover, Guzmán López admitted to orchestrating the abduction of an unidentified individual believed to be Zambada. The alleged kidnapping, as described by Erskine in court, involved removing glass from a floor-to-ceiling window, allowing others to seize the individual during a meeting, placing a bag over his head, and transporting him via plane to a New Mexico airport near the Texas border. Erskine clarified that this incident was an attempt to demonstrate cooperation with the U.S. government, which did not endorse the action, hence no cooperation credit would be granted.
Zambada’s attorney had previously asserted that his client was forcefully taken onto the flight to the U.S. by Guzmán López. Lichtman expressed intent to seek a reduced sentence, acknowledging the significant prison time even a 10-year term would entail.
During the court proceedings, observers were instructed to switch off electronic devices while police dogs inspected bags and equipment in the downtown courthouse lobby. Earlier in July, Ovidio Guzmán López became the first son of “El Chapo” to strike a plea deal, admitting to drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms charges related to his leadership position within the cartel. Legal experts viewed this development as a crucial advancement in the U.S. government’s efforts to investigate and prosecute Sinaloa cartel figures.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is currently serving a life sentence following his 2019 conviction for leading the Sinaloa cartel and orchestrating extensive drug trafficking operations into the U.S. over a span of 25 years. The Guzmán brothers are believed to have taken on their father’s previous role as heads of the cartel.