A son of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán has pleaded guilty to US drug trafficking charges, becoming the first of El Chapo’s sons to enter a plea deal.
Prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, led a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as the “Chapitos,” or “little Chapos.” Authorities have described their operation as a massive effort to funnel “staggering” amounts of fentanyl into the United States.
As part of a plea agreement, Ovidio admitted to overseeing the production and smuggling of large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl into the US—fueling a crisis tied to tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year.
He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms charges linked to his leadership role in the cartel. The specific terms of the agreement, including sentencing recommendations or details of his cooperation, have not been made public. His sentencing has been postponed while he assists US authorities. Whether he avoids a life sentence will depend on whether officials decide he has fulfilled his end of the deal.
His attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, said it would be best to wait until sentencing before evaluating whether the agreement was favorable. He also noted the case against Joaquin Guzman Lopez is “completely different,” adding that his arrest in the US came much later.
Legal experts say Ovidio’s cooperation could mark a major shift in the fight against the cartel. According to law professor and former federal prosecutor Laurie Levenson, by pleading guilty, Ovidio may have protected other family members and secured some control over who he testifies against. She called the plea a “big step,” potentially giving US authorities an inside roadmap to dismantle cartel operations.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized what she described as inconsistencies in US policy toward Mexican cartels, pointing out the contradiction between labeling cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and simultaneously negotiating plea deals with their leaders.
El Chapo is currently serving a life sentence in the US for smuggling massive quantities of cocaine and other drugs over a 25-year period. His sons are believed to have stepped into leadership roles within the cartel.
Ovidio was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the US, initially pleading not guilty before indicating his willingness to change his plea. His brother Joaquin and longtime cartel figure Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada were later arrested in Texas after arriving on a private plane. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Their capture sparked a surge of violence in Mexico’s Sinaloa state as rival cartel factions clashed.
