El Chapo’s son pleads guilty in US drug case, cuts deal with prosecutors

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of "El Chapo" Guzman, pleaded guilty in a Chicago court on December 2, 2025, to drug trafficking and organized crime charges related to his involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel. Guzman Lopez, initially pleading not guilty after his arrest last year, admitted to advancing the cartel's operations through bribery and violence. As part of a plea deal, he will cooperate with US prosecutors, pay an $80 million charge, and avoid a potential life sentence, though he still faces a minimum of 10 years in prison. The agreement also stipulates that Guzman Lopez cannot appeal his sentence. He and his brothers are known as the "Chapitos" in Mexico.

Joaquín Guzmán López, son of El Chapo, pleaded guilty in a Chicago federal court on Monday to multiple charges, including the kidnapping of Ismael Zambada García, a former partner of his father in the Sinaloa cartel. Guzmán López admitted to luring Zambada García from hiding in Mexico and arranging for his abduction and transport to U.S. custody at an airport near El Paso. Zambada García helped El Chapo establish the Sinaloa cartel. The guilty plea represents a significant blow to the Sinaloa cartel, which is already facing pressure from the Mexican government and rival organizations. The plea coincides with contradictory actions from the Trump administration regarding the war on drugs, including increased pressure on Venezuela and the pardon of a former Honduran president convicted of taking bribes from El Chapo.

Joaquín Guzmán López, son of the infamous drug lord "El Chapo," pleaded guilty in a US court to drug trafficking charges on Monday. López, a member of the Los Chapitos cartel, admitted to overseeing the production and smuggling of various drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States. His brother, Ovidio, also pleaded guilty to similar charges in July. US prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against López. The guilty plea comes amid pressure on the Trump administration to address drug deaths, particularly those caused by fentanyl, and justify actions like missile strikes against alleged drug traffickers. Simultaneously, Mexican authorities killed Pedro "Pichon" Inzunza Coronel, a top fentanyl trafficker wanted in the US.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of four sons of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, will plead guilty to narcotics trafficking charges in a US court next week. The change of plea comes after he originally pleaded not guilty following his arrest in July 2024 in Texas. Federal documents show that Guzman Lopez is set to appear at the US District Court in Chicago on Monday. Another brother, Ovidio Guzman, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to drug trafficking and participating in a criminal enterprise as part of a plea deal. The guilty plea may signal a new chapter in the history of drug trafficking. Guzman Lopez's case has raised questions about possible ongoing negotiations with US authorities.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of four sons of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, will plead guilty to narcotics trafficking charges in a US court next week. The change of plea comes after he originally pleaded not guilty following his arrest in July 2024 in Texas. Federal documents show that Guzman Lopez is set to appear at the US District Court in Chicago on Monday. Another brother, Ovidio Guzman, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to drug trafficking and participating in a criminal enterprise as part of a plea deal. The guilty plea may signal a new chapter in the history of drug trafficking. Guzman Lopez's case has raised questions about possible ongoing negotiations with US authorities.