The legal future of Los Chapitos, the sons of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, remains uncertain as negotiations for plea deals continue in the United States. Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys requested additional time this week to finalize agreements that could see the defendants avoid trial.
During a hearing in the Northern District of Illinois, both sides emphasized their preference for resolving the cases through guilty pleas.
The prosecutors stated they aim to reach a deal with Ovidio Guzmán, known as "El Ratón," by February 27. Meanwhile, discussions involving his brother Joaquín Guzmán López, nicknamed "El Güero," are expected to take longer, with a new court date set for March 19.
The delay raises speculation about whether El Chapo's younger sons and leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel may provide information about other cartel leaders in exchange for reduced sentences. Such cooperation could lead to broader crackdowns on drug trafficking networks, but it also increased tension within the already embattled organization.
Legal hurdles complicating negotiations
The prosecutors indicated they are addressing complications stemming from El Ratón's additional charges in New York.
Discussions are ongoing about whether any agreement in Illinois would also resolve his legal battles in New York. The defense and prosecution have a month and a half to finalize the terms, raising questions about whether Ovidio may seek leniency by becoming an informant.
Ovidio, 34, faces charges of drug trafficking, organized crime, and illegal firearms possession. He was arrested in January 2023 and extradited to the United States in September. His case has drawn widespread attention due to his high-profile role within the cartel.
Negotiations for Joaquín Guzmán, 38, are more complex. Captured in July 2024 after landing at a rural airport near El Paso, Texas, he was apprehended alongside Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a former ally of El Chapo. His legal team requested extra time to address the newer charges against him.
Both brothers, along with Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar (the elder Chapo's sons free in Mexico), face federal indictments that accuse them of leading the Sinaloa Cartel. Their charges include trafficking fentanyl, money laundering, and organized crime, as announced by U.S. authorities in April 2023.
Defense attorneys eye Favorable outcomes
The defense hinted at plea deals as early as October, following Ovidio's last hearing in Chicago. Despite expectations that the brothers would appear in person, neither attended this week's session. Press reported that their lead attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, was also absent due to scheduling conflicts.
Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman acknowledged the delays and noted potential disruptions in federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. prepares for a new presidential administration. She voiced concerns about political uncertainty possibly affecting the cases, especially with former President Donald Trump promising tougher cartel policies if re-elected.
Defense lawyers denied accusations that the Guzmán brothers betrayed former allies like El Mayo Zambada to reduce their sentences. Speculation of a rift within the Sinaloa Cartel has intensified since El Mayo's arrest. Mexican authorities continue investigating whether the Guzmáns played a role in handing over their father's longtime partner.
Violence escalates in Sinaloa amid cartel infighting
Rumors of betrayal have fueled violent clashes in Culiacán, the cartel's stronghold. Mexican prosecutors allege Joaquín Guzmán Jr. orchestrated El Mayo's capture as part of a power grab. Both sides deny these claims, but tensions remain high as rival factions battle for dominance.
Federal authorities in Mexico accused Ovidio of conspiring in the plot and charged him with treason. His lawyers dismissed the allegations, calling them politically motivated. Despite the cartel's internal struggles, U.S. officials continue targeting its leadership.
The coming weeks are crucial for Los Chapitos. Ovidio Guzmán must decide whether to accept a plea deal that could include cooperation agreements. Meanwhile, Joaquín Guzmán faces mounting pressure to settle his case or risk a lengthy trial.
Zambada is also due in court soon, with his next hearing scheduled for January 15 in New York. The case will be overseen by Judge Brian Cogan, who sentenced El Chapo to life imprisonment. Zambada's fate could influence negotiations involving the Guzmán brothers.
Originally published on Latin Times
