DOJ calls the plea “a major victory” in the Trump administration’s campaign against narco-terrorist organizations as the Sinaloa Cartel leadership faces mounting U.S. indictments.
Joaquín Guzmán López, son of notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera and one of the leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal drug-trafficking charges, marking one of the most significant cartel prosecutions in years.
Guzmán López, 39, admitted to drug conspiracy and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, charges that carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
He has been in U.S. custody since his arrest in July 2024; a sentencing date has not yet been set.
DOJ, DEA, FBI: “A Major Blow Against a Terrorist Organization”
Top U.S. officials hailed the plea as a major victory in the government’s escalated crackdown on narco-terrorist networks:
Attorney General Pamela Bondi:
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a terrorist organization that has spent decades destroying American families… El Chapo’s son pleading guilty underscores our historic, aggressive campaign to dismantle terrorist organizations that target the American people.”
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole:
“Under the Chapitos, the cartel fueled the deadliest drug crisis in our history… We will not stop until these narco-terrorists are held accountable.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti:
“Guzmán López and his associates bribed officials, spread violence, and flooded the U.S. with fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. We will not rest until these criminal cartels are dismantled.”
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros (Northern District of Illinois):
“The State Department has now designated many of these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Guzmán López’s guilty plea is the latest step in bringing dangerous cartel leaders to justice.”
FBI Criminal Investigative Division:
“Protecting Americans from the Sinaloa Cartel is one of the FBI’s highest priorities.”
A MASSIVE DRUG PIPELINE INTO THE U.S.
Court documents reveal that under Guzmán López’s leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel trafficked staggering quantities of narcotics:
- 36+ kg fentanyl
- 90+ kg heroin
- 450+ kg cocaine
- 45+ kg methamphetamine
- 90,000+ kg marijuana
He coordinated drug transportation using vehicles, rail cars, tunnels, aircraft, submersibles, and couriers, moving hundreds of thousands of kilograms into the United States.
He also agreed to an $80 million forfeiture judgment representing proceeds from his crimes.
VIOLENCE, BRIBERY & KIDNAPPING ADMISSION
Guzmán López admitted to coordinating an international kidnapping in hopes of gaining cooperation credit — which the U.S. emphasized was neither induced nor rewarded.
He also acknowledged participating in violence and bribery to protect the cartel’s operations.
THE CHAPITOS: TWO IN CUSTODY, TWO STILL FUGITIVES
The “Chapitos” — Guzmán López and his three brothers — assumed control of the cartel after El Chapo’s 2016 arrest:
- Joaquín Guzmán López → pleaded guilty
- Ovidio Guzmán López → pleaded guilty in July; awaiting sentencing
- Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar → fugitive
- Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar → fugitive
The U.S. State Department has offered up to $10 million in rewards for information leading to the two fugitives’ arrests.
