OVIDIO Guzmán López, the son of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, has pleaded guilty in a United States federal court to four charges linked to drug trafficking and organised crime.
In a statement on Friday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois confirmed that Guzmán López admitted guilt to "two counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of knowingly engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise."
Known by the alias ‘El Ratón’, Guzmán López acknowledged his role in coordinating the transport of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and other narcotics from Mexico to the US, as well as directing operations to smuggle these substances across the border. He also admitted to overseeing violent acts against law enforcement, civilians and rival groups to protect the Sinaloa cartel’s interests.
Bernama-dpa cited that as part of a plea deal, the 35-year-old agreed to forfeit US\$80 million. He had originally pleaded not guilty but later indicated his intention to change his plea.
In court, Guzmán López confirmed that he and his three brothers—collectively known as "Los Chapitos"—assumed control of the Sinaloa cartel after their father's arrest in 2016. His brothers are also facing drug trafficking charges in the US.
Fentanyl, one of the substances trafficked by the cartel, is a synthetic opioid estimated to be 50 times more potent than heroin and is considered a key factor in the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States.
Guzmán López was apprehended by Mexican authorities in January 2023 and extradited to the US soon after. He remains in US custody, with sentencing expected in the coming months.
According to Mexican daily Milenio, he could have faced a life sentence had he not cooperated with authorities. - July 12, 2025
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