Two sons of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán are in plea negotiations with US authorities over drug trafficking charges, according to court filings Tuesday. Ovidio Guzmán López (34) and Joaquín Guzmán López (38) are facing sweeping indictments related to the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs.
Negotiations for a possible resolution with the federal government are underway for both brothers, who have pleaded not guilty. This development follows Ovidio Guzmán López's not guilty plea in October, and Joaquin Guzmán López's arrest last year in Texas alongside Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a long-time Sinaloa cartel leader.
Assistant US Attorney Andrew Erskine stated in court that the negotiations are ongoing, highlighting the complexity of reaching a resolution. He declined further comment and did not elaborate on the specifics of any potential deal, but expressed the need for more time to potentially achieve a "global resolution".
The brothers' involvement in the Sinaloa Cartel, now led by the "Chapitos," or little Chapos, is central to the case. Federal prosecutors indicted dozens of cartel members, including the brothers, in 2023 for extensive fentanyl trafficking operations. Authorities allege Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López oversaw the transportation of "tens of thousands of pounds of drugs" into the US and were responsible for related violence. Zambada is scheduled to appear in court in New York next week.
The arrests and ensuing legal maneuvering have sparked controversy and speculation about the specifics of the operation, especially surrounding the capture of Zambada. Zambada's attorney alleges his client was abducted by Joaquín Guzmán López and transported to the US, but this claim has been dismissed by the defense attorney for the Guzmán brothers. The upcoming court dates for both brothers are set for February 27th and March 19th, respectively.
