In a significant development within the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of infamous drug lord El Chapo, is poised to change his plea to guilty on narcotics trafficking charges. This shift raises important questions about the future of cartel leadership and may signal a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the United States and Mexico. As Guzman Lopez prepares to appear in court, the regional implications of this plea are likely to resonate across international law enforcement efforts.
Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of the four sons of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is set to plead guilty next week to narcotics trafficking charges in the United States, according to recently released federal court documents. Guzman Lopez, arrested in Texas in July 2024, initially entered a plea of not guilty, but it has now been announced that he will shift this stance during a hearing scheduled for Monday at the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Another of his brothers, Ovidio Guzman, struck a plea deal in July 2025, pleading guilty to conspiracy related to drug trafficking and two counts connected to participating in a criminal enterprise. Ovidio Guzman also acknowledged that he and his siblings, collectively known as “Los Chapitos” or Little Chapos, assumed control of their father’s operations following his arrest in 2016.
Mexican broadcaster MVS Noticias has suggested that Guzman Lopez’s decision to plead guilty could indicate the beginning of a new chapter in the realm of drug trafficking. This action raises several questions about potential negotiations between him and U.S. authorities, adding an element of complexity to the already intricate landscape of drug enforcement.
Federal prosecutors have indicated that they will not pursue the death penalty against Guzman Lopez, and reports of an impending plea deal are circulating. Guzman Lopez is expected to appear in court at 1:30 PM local time (19:30 GMT) on Monday.
Meanwhile, his two brothers, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, have been indicted on drug trafficking charges in the United States but have not yet been captured. Their father, El Chapo, is serving a life sentence in a supermax federal prison in Colorado after his arrest and conviction on multiple charges in 2019.
Guzman Lopez was taken into custody last year upon arriving in Texas via a small private plane, accompanied by Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, a cofounder of the Sinaloa cartel. Zambada claimed he was misled about their destination and alleged that Guzman Lopez had forcibly delivered him to U.S. authorities.
In the wake of Guzman Lopez’s arrest, tensions have escalated between factions within the Sinaloa cartel, particularly those led by the “Los Chapitos” brothers and Zambada, resulting in significant violence. Official reports indicate that this infighting has led to around 1,200 deaths and approximately 1,400 disappearances throughout Mexico.
U.S. officials have accused the Sinaloa cartel of severely impacting public health by trafficking fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to tens of thousands of overdose fatalities in recent years. The cartel is one of six Mexican drug-trafficking groups identified by the U.S. government as global terrorist organizations.
In June, U.S. authorities announced additional sanctions against the fugitive “Los Chapitos” brothers for their involvement in fentanyl trafficking, raising the bounty for their capture to million each. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications for drug enforcement and regional stability remain significant.
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