Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, has pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges in a Chicago federal court as part of a plea agreement aimed at reducing his potential life sentence.
Nicknamed “El Ratón” (The Mouse), Guzman Lopez admitted guilt to two counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of operating a continuing criminal enterprise. In return for a reduced sentence, he has pledged full cooperation with U.S. authorities, potentially offering critical insights into the operations of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel.
Following his father’s capture in 2016, Guzman Lopez assumed control of a faction of the cartel along with his brothers—collectively known as Los Chapitos. Prosecutors highlighted his role in coordinating the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and precursor chemicals into the United States.
Although a sentencing date has not yet been set by U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, authorities emphasize the strategic importance of the plea. Former DEA operations chief Mike Vigil noted that Guzman Lopez’s cooperation could yield valuable intelligence on cartel operations and networks of protection.
The backdrop to Guzman Lopez’s plea is a volatile one. His high-profile 2019 arrest in Mexico led to violent clashes and his controversial release by then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He was recaptured in January 2023 and extradited to the U.S. soon after.
The fallout from the arrests of Los Chapitos has contributed to significant cartel violence, with over 1,200 deaths and 1,400 people missing in Sinaloa state. Meanwhile, his brothers Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo remain fugitives, even as the U.S. escalates pressure through sanctions and $10 million bounties for each.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros hailed the development, saying the guilty plea “sends yet another crystal-clear message” about the administration’s commitment to dismantling transnational criminal networks at the highest levels.
This case underscores a growing effort by U.S. authorities to hold powerful cartel figures accountable and crack down on the fentanyl crisis fueled by Mexican trafficking networks.
