El Chapo’s Family Members Enter the U.S. Amid Son’s Trafficking Negotiations

Mexican security officials have confirmed that several family members of the notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán have entered the United States. This development coincides with ongoing negotiations surrounding the trafficking charges against Guzmán’s son, Ovidio Guzmán López. The move has sparked questions and controversy on both sides of the border, raising concerns about potential deals and the complexities of international drug enforcement.

Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Civilian Safety, publicly acknowledged the family’s entry into the U.S., suggesting it was linked to potential negotiations or opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of Justice to Ovidio Guzmán López, also known as "El Ratón."

"It’s evident that his family is going to the United States because of the negotiation or opportunity the Justice Department has given him," García Harfuch stated during an interview with Radio Fórmula, a Mexican radio network. He was responding to reports that approximately 17 family members had left Mexico. García Harfuch clarified that these family members were not wanted by Mexican authorities.

The news caught Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo by surprise. She promptly requested the Mexican Attorney General’s office to seek further information from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the entry of El Chapo’s relatives and any possible plea agreement involving Ovidio Guzmán López.

Ovidio Guzmán López’s case is currently proceeding in federal court in the United States. Court records indicate that he is scheduled to appear in July to potentially enter a change of plea. Guzmán López had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege that he and his brothers, known as "Los Chapitos," amassed substantial wealth, estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, by trafficking fentanyl into the United States. The court records do not offer any details about a possible plea agreement.

The U.S. Department of Justice has so far not issued any official statement.

Jeffrey Lichtman, Guzmán López’s attorney, told Reuters in early May that while there was no completed agreement, he hoped one would be reached. Lichtman has not responded to requests for comment on the entry of family members or the terms of the plea discussions.

"Los Chapitos" are believed by U.S. authorities to have taken over their father’s international drug empire after his extradition in 2017 and incarceration in 2019. They allegedly rebuilt and expanded the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations, particularly in the production and trafficking of fentanyl, a highly potent and dangerous synthetic opioid.

The arrest of Ovidio Guzmán López has been a high-profile issue for both the Mexican and U.S. governments. His initial arrest in 2019 led to a violent response from cartel members in Culiacán, Mexico. The cartel forces engaged in heavy fighting in the streets, leading to civilian casualties, and Ovidio Guzmán López was released to quell the violence.

He was arrested again in January 2023 in an operation that resulted in 30 deaths. The successful arrest was hailed as a victory in the fight against drug trafficking.

The entry of El Chapo’s family into the United States is raising several concerns. One of the central questions is whether a plea agreement with Ovidio Guzmán López would require or incentivize the cooperation of family members. Another question is what assurances the U.S. government might have made to the family to encourage their presence in the United States. The legal and ethical implications of involving family members in plea negotiations with alleged drug traffickers are significant.

The situation also raises concerns about potential security risks. The presence of El Chapo’s relatives in the United States could attract attention from rival cartels or individuals seeking to harm them or use them as leverage. Protecting these individuals would require a significant commitment of resources.

The ongoing negotiations and the entry of the Guzmán family members into the U.S. highlight the complex challenges of combating international drug trafficking. The case illustrates the intricate web of relationships and financial interests that sustain the drug trade. It also underscores the need for close cooperation between the United States and Mexico to address the problem effectively.

The public will be closely watching how this situation develops. A change of plea by Ovidio Guzmán López would be a significant event and likely provide insight into the negotiations between his legal team and the Department of Justice. If an agreement is reached, the details of the agreement will reveal how the U.S. government intends to disrupt the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations and prevent the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

The extradition and prosecution of members of the El Chapo Guzmán family demonstrates the U.S. government’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for drug trafficking and the opioid crisis. The negotiations with Ovidio Guzmán López and the entry of his family members into the U.S. may provide a means to disrupt the cartel’s operations and gather intelligence about their activities. The situation remains fluid, and the ultimate outcome will depend on ongoing negotiations and the legal proceedings.