ICE Launches New Hunt for El Chapo's Son Iván Guzmán Salazar, Current Leader of Los Chapitos

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a new campaign to capture Iván Archibaldo Guzmán Salazar, the son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, current leader of Los Chapitos, one of the most powerful factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. The agency is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest, placing him near the top of their Most Wanted list.

The announcement underscores how seriously U.S. authorities view Los Chapitos, the faction of El Chapo's sons who now control a large part of the cartel's drug operations. According to ICE, Iván has been central to expanding the cartel's reach, trafficking cocaine, heroin, meth, and particularly fentanyl, into the United States.

Who Is Iván Archibaldo Guzmán?

Born on August 15, 1983 in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Iván is the oldest of El Chapo's children with his first wife, María Alejandrina Salazar Hernández. Known as "El Chapito," he grew up in the shadow of his father's empire and stepped into a leadership role after El Chapo's capture and extradition to the U.S. in 2016.

Iván has long been seen as both charismatic and ruthless. Unlike his father, who operated largely in the mountains and remote regions, Iván and his brothers flaunt a more visible lifestyle, often linked to luxury cars, private jets, and music culture in Mexico.

Him and his brother Alfredo Guzmán Salazar "El Guero," are the only two of El Chapo's children still within the Cartel. His half brothers Ovidio "El Ratón" and Joaquín Guzmán López are under U.S. custody. El Ratón has made a plea deal, while Joaquín will have his next hearing on September 15th.

His Criminal Record and Past Arrests

Iván's troubles with law enforcement go back almost two decades.

• 2005: He was arrested in Zapopan, Jalisco, on money laundering charges. After three years in custody, he was released in 2008 due to lack of evidence.
• 2012: The U.S. Treasury sanctioned him under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Act, freezing any assets tied to him in the U.S.
• 2016: Iván and his brother Jesús Alfredo were kidnapped by members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) while dining at a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. They were released days later, but the incident showed how vulnerable even El Chapo's sons could be.
• 2019: Iván played a key role in the infamous "Culiacanazo," when Mexican forces captured his younger brother Ovidio Guzmán. Los Chapitos responded by unleashing a wave of violence across Culiacán, forcing the government to release Ovidio in order to prevent mass civilian casualties.

Why Is ICE Focusing on Him Now?

The U.S. government views Iván as one of the masterminds behind the flood of synthetic opioids into the country. Fentanyl, which can be 50 times stronger than heroin, is linked to tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year in the U.S.

By placing such a high reward on Iván's capture, ICE is sending a clear signal: dismantling Los Chapitos is a top priority in the fight against the opioid crisis.

At the same time, the campaign highlights a generational shift. El Chapo is serving a life sentence in a Colorado supermax prison, and El Mayo is out of the game after pleading guilty. That leaves Iván and his brothers as the face of the cartel's "new school."