Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in a Chicago federal court, in a major development in the ongoing battle against transnational drug cartels. Known as “El Raton” or “The Mouse,” Guzman Lopez admitted to two counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.
The plea deal, reached after months of negotiations with prosecutors, could spare him a life sentence. In return, Guzman Lopez has agreed to “fully and truthfully cooperate” with U.S. authorities, potentially offering vital intelligence about the powerful Sinaloa Cartel and its operations. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled by District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman.
Guzman Lopez, alongside his brothers Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo, inherited control of a faction of the cartel following their father’s arrest in 2016. Collectively known as “Los Chapitos,” the brothers have been major players in the global narcotics trade, particularly in the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine into the United States.
Former DEA operations chief Mike Vigil emphasized the value of Guzman Lopez’s potential cooperation, saying it could provide insight into the cartel’s leadership and protection networks. The U.S. government has been aggressively targeting “Los Chapitos,” with enhanced sanctions and a $10 million bounty on the fugitive brothers Ivan and Jesus Alfredo.
Ovidio gained international attention in 2019 when Mexican authorities detained him, only to release him hours later under pressure from cartel gunmen in a violent standoff. He was recaptured in January 2023 and extradited to the U.S., marking a significant blow to the cartel.
His brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was arrested last year in the U.S. alongside Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Both await trial, amid reports that their arrival sparked violent infighting in Sinaloa, leading to over 1,200 deaths and 1,400 disappearances.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros hailed the guilty plea as a clear signal of the U.S. government’s commitment to dismantling powerful criminal organizations and bringing their top operatives to justice.
