The lawyer for Ovidio Guzman, son of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and a prominent member of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as "Los Chapitos," denied that the recent crossing of 17 family members of his client to the U.S. took place as part of a plea deal with American authorities.
Speaking to CNN, Jeffrey Lichtman said "there has been nothing in our negotiations related to Ovidio's family." "His family won't be part of any plea deal," he added, as reported by Infobae.
The crossing, which reportedly took place earlier this month, has dominated headlines considering the possibility that Guzman could be providing sensitive information to U.S. authorities in exchange for leniency.
The Mexican government seemed to be left in the dark. Earlier this month President Claudia Sheinbaum demanded answers from the Trump administration regarding the matter, saying "they need to explain themselves."
"We still don't have any official explanation or public details about why this family was permitted entry into the United States," Sheinbaum said.
In contrast with Lichtman, Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch has openly suggested that this transfer likely stems from ongoing negotiations between Ovidio Guzmán and the U.S. Department of Justice. "Clearly, if Guzmán's family has moved into the U.S., it indicates some form of negotiation or agreement with the Department of Justice," Harfuch stated.
Among those crossing into U.S. territory through the San Ysidro border crossing was Griselda López, Ovidio's mother and El Chapo's former wife. Ovidio Guzmán was extradited to the U.S. in September 2023 following his capture by Mexican forces in January of that year. He is scheduled to plead guilty to charges of drug trafficking and money laundering at a hearing in Chicago on July 9.
According to Mexican investigative journalist Anabel Hernández, the surrenders do have to do with negotiations with authorities and may be linked to "valuable" information that El Chapo's sons have already shared with U.S. officials.
Hernández said in an interview that evidence provided by Los Chapitos includes video recordings of cash deliveries, which she said are part of material included in the plea agreements.
Hernández said in an interview that evidence provided by Los Chapitos includes video recordings of cash deliveries, which she said are part of material included in the plea agreements.
"Joaquín and his brothers recorded people when they handed over money — just like El Chapo Guzmán," Hernández said. "Where are the videos El Chapo recorded?" she asked, suggesting his sons continued the practice.
As reported by Infobae, Hernández said the information shared by Joaquín and Ovidio Guzmán is so significant that the U.S. government agreed to relocate their mother, Griselda, along with 16 other relatives, and offer them protection in the U.S.
"The U.S. government doesn't just say, 'Sure, bring your friends over, don't worry. Just tell me, Ovidio, who you want, and I'll make it happen.' No. The accused criminals — in this case, Ovidio and Joaquín — are already cooperating and have provided very valuable information," Hernández added.
The journalist also said the information shared by Los Chapitos could implicate high-profile political figures, including former presidents Felipe Calderón, Enrique Peña Nieto and Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
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