Mexico's Security Chief Confirms 'El Chapo' Guzmán's Family Entered U.S. as Part of Negotiation Deal with Younger Son Ovidio

Mexico's Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, has confirmed that 17 relatives Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán entered the United States as part of a negotiated agreement tied to younger son Ovidio Guzmán's legal process with U.S. authorities. Among them is Griselda López Pérez, Ovidio's mother and former wife of El Chapo.

"It is an agreement between a defendant and the authorities," Harfuch said during an interview reported by El País. He then elaborated:

"First, it must be emphasized that Ovidio was arrested by Mexican authorities, (an event) during which members of the Army and Special Forces were even killed. Then, Mexico extradited him to the United States. And then, as we saw in the news, he began negotiating with the Department of Justice. It is evident that if his family is leaving now, it is because of this negotiation"

Members of the Guzman family crossed into the U.S. at the San Ysidro port of entry, reportedly on May 9, after traveling from Culiacán, Sinaloa. U.S. federal agents were waiting for them on the other side following the reported plea deal in progress between Ovidio Guzmán and the DOJ.

Ovidio Guzman, who was extradited to the U.S. in September 2023 after his capture by Mexican forces in January of that year, is expected to plead guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges during a hearing scheduled for July 9 in Chicago.

Journalist Luis Chaparro, who first reported the family's coordinated crossing, stated that the move was part of a broader request by Ovidio to ensure the safety of his relatives amid ongoing violence in Sinaloa:

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Monday that she had no direct knowledge of the family's transfer and said the Mexican Attorney General's Office had not been officially notified. However, Harfuch emphasized that, given Ovidio was arrested by Mexican forces, the U.S. Department of Justice should share all relevant developments with Mexican authorities.