The son of the infamous 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, also known as “Chapitos” in Mexico, along with his brother Ovidio Guzmán López, stands accused of leading a faction of the powerful Sinaloa cartel. U.S. federal authorities in 2023 characterized their activities as a significant operation aimed at smuggling vast amounts of fentanyl into the U.S.
Joaquín Guzmán López, aged 39, confessed to two counts of drug trafficking and running a criminal enterprise, acknowledging his involvement in overseeing the transportation of substantial drug quantities to the U.S., primarily through underground passages. By accepting the plea deal, he will evade a life sentence behind bars.
Security was heightened at the federal court in Chicago before the hearing where prosecutors recounted the events leading to the dramatic arrest of Guzmán López and another prominent Sinaloa figure on U.S. soil in July 2024.
Guzmán López, attired in an orange jumpsuit and matching footwear, spoke sparingly during the court proceedings. When asked by U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman about his occupation, he bluntly replied, “Drug trafficking.” Judge Coleman lightly remarked, “Oh, that’s your job. There you go.”
If Guzmán López cooperates with U.S. authorities, they have indicated a willingness to reduce the severity of the life sentence associated with the charges. Nevertheless, he is anticipated to serve a minimum of 10 years in prison, as stated by Andrew Erskine, a representative of the federal government.
As part of the plea agreement, Guzmán López forfeits his right to appeal the sentence. His defense counsel, Jeffrey Lichtman, praised the cooperation between U.S. and Mexican officials.
“The treatment Joaquín has received from the government has been equitable,” Lichtman remarked to journalists post the court session. “I am grateful for the non-interference by the Mexican government.”
Guzmán López and fellow Sinaloa figure Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada were apprehended in Texas in July 2024 upon their arrival in the U.S. via a private aircraft. Both individuals had previously pleaded not guilty to various charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses. Their capture led to increased violence in the Mexican state of Sinaloa as rival factions of the cartel clashed.
In his admission as part of the plea deal, Joaquín Guzmán López confessed to his involvement in supervising the production and smuggling of significant quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl into the United States, exacerbating a crisis that contributes to tens of thousands of overdose fatalities annually.
Confession of Kidnapping
Guzmán López also confessed to the abduction of an unnamed individual believed to be Zambada. In court, Erskine detailed the purported kidnapping, stating that Guzmán López had a floor-to-ceiling window glass removed.
During a meeting in the room with the unidentified person, Guzmán López allegedly facilitated the entry of others through the open window, who then seized the individual, covered his head with a bag, and transported him via plane
