Family of Infamous Cartel Leader Crosses into U.S. Amid Controversy
In a startling development, Mexico’s Secretary of Security announced on Tuesday that 17 relatives of high-ranking cartel members entered the United States last week. This significant movement is believed to be linked to a negotiation arrangement involving Ovidio Guzmán López, a prominent figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Trump administration.
Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Security Secretary, confirmed the reports initially shared by independent journalist Luis Chaparro. He stated that family members, including Griselda Lopez Perez, the ex-wife of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, were seen crossing the border at Tijuana, carrying their luggage. This coordinated crossing took place under the watchful eyes of U.S. officials.
Ovidio Guzmán López, who was extradited to the United States in 2023, is one of the surviving siblings controlling a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel after their father’s imprisonment. There are claims that he may plead guilty to avoid multiple drug trafficking charges in the U.S. after being captured by Mexican security forces in January 2023.
Negotiations and Potential Cooperation
García Harfuch mentioned that the family’s journey to the U.S. was the result of negotiations potentially tied to Guzmán López’s cooperation with U.S. authorities. After his extradition, Guzmán López’s legal team indicated that he was willing to cooperate with investigators, possibly implicating figures in other criminal organizations as part of a broader deal.
“It is evident that his family is going to the U.S. because of a negotiation or an offer that the Department of Justice is offering him,” he stated during a radio interview. The official added that no legal actions are being taken against the family members by Mexican authorities.
U.S. Government’s Response
On the same day that these developments unfolded, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office announced charges against several cartel leaders for “narcoterrorism.” This marks the first enforcement of such charges since the designation of various cartels as foreign terrorist organizations under the Trump administration.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, representing the Southern District of California, directly addressed the Sinaloa Cartel leaders, stating, “You are no longer the hunters; you are the hunted.” He asserted that cartel members could expect to be betrayed and prosecuted vigorously.
Incidents of Violence
As the tension escalates, two alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel were indicted on narco-terrorism charges, including participation in a vast fentanyl production operation. The U.S. courts have made it clear that the involvement of El Chapo’s sons, known as the Chapitos, continues to stir violence, with infighting reportedly leading to over 1,200 deaths and more than 1,400 missing in Sinaloa state.
Table of Recent Developments Related to the Sinaloa Cartel
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| January 2023 | Ovidio Guzmán captured | Led to his extradition |
| May 2025 | Family members cross to U.S. | Indicates possible negotiations |
| May 2025 | U.S. announces cartel indictments | First narcoterrorism charges since designation |
The saga of the Guzmán family is emblematic of the ongoing struggles between law enforcement and drug cartels in both Mexico and the United States. As more details emerge, the implications of the ongoing negotiations and legal actions will undoubtedly continue to shape the landscape of organized crime in North America.
