CHICAGO, IL – In an unprecedented move, 17 relatives of the notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán have crossed into the United States from Mexico. This unusual immigration is part of a plea agreement involving one of Guzmán’s sons, who is currently facing major drug trafficking charges in Chicago.
The relatives, including a former wife of El Chapo, Guadalupe López Pérez, arrived at the San Ysidro border crossing from Tijuana last Friday. They carried luggage reportedly filled with thousands of dollars in U.S. currency, according to law enforcement officials. The decision to allow their entry is tied to a deal made by El Chapo’s son, Ovidio Guzmán, with federal prosecutors.
Ovidio Guzmán, along with his brother Joaquín Guzmán López, is being held in Chicago. As part of a plea deal, Ovidio is expected to plead guilty to charges involving the Sinaloa drug cartel, a powerful organization responsible for a significant portion of illicit drugs trafficked into the United States.
The agreement to permit the entry of El Chapo’s relatives underscores the potential risks they face in Mexico, where retaliation is a serious threat. This move also signals a possible weakening of the cartel’s grip, which has dominated the drug trade in Chicago for decades.
Federal authorities have been tight-lipped about the specifics of the plea deal and the immigration arrangement. However, they have highlighted recent successes in their ongoing battle against the cartel, including the seizure of large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
The Justice Department’s decision to facilitate the family’s move to the U.S. may seem controversial, but it is a strategic part of their efforts to dismantle the Sinaloa cartel. Ovidio Guzmán’s cooperation is expected to provide crucial intelligence on other cartel leaders currently in custody.
The Sinaloa cartel’s operations have been a primary target of U.S. law enforcement agencies, especially given their significant impact on the drug landscape in cities like Chicago. The recent indictments of several cartel operatives, some linked to Guzmán’s sons, highlight the ongoing efforts to curb their influence.
Despite these developments, federal officials refrain from commenting on the specifics of the plea deal or the immigration status of El Chapo’s kin. The focus remains on the broader strategy of disrupting cartel operations and reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the country.
The move of El Chapo’s family members to the U.S. is a testament to the shifting dynamics in the fight against drug trafficking and the lengths to which authorities will go to secure critical cooperation from insiders.