Ovidio Guzman Is Emaciated And Under Psychiatric Treatment Following His Arrest And Plea Deal: Report

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and leader of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as "Los Chapitos," looked emaciated when appearing in court for his plea deal, according to reporters allowed in the room.

Infobae noted that he was wearing an orange jumpsuit, looking extremely thin and looking to the floor. It added that Guzman himself confirmed during the hearing that he is clinically depressed and undergoing psychiatric treatment.

However, it seems that the condition is not new. His lawyers in Mexico had already said in early 2023, when he was arrested in his home country, that he suffered from severe gastritis and went through two stomach surgeries, asking he be given a special diet at the prison known as El Altiplano. They added that he also suffered from anxiety and depression.

Guzman pleaded pleaded guilty to four charges as part of a historic agreement with U.S. authorities last Friday. They are drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges related to his role as leader of the "Chapitos."

Ovidio thus became the first son cartel leader "El Chapo" to admit guilt in a U.S. court. In shackles, he admitted his leadership of the "Chapitos" faction of the cartel, which prosecutors say flooded U.S. streets with "staggering" quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

The guilty plea covers the four counts in Chicago and multiple indictments, including a separate one in New York, where he had earlier waived trial to consolidate proceedings.

As part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Guzmán has agreed to cooperate "substantially" and may receive a significantly reduced sentence. Reports indicate the deal could save him from a likely life sentence, contingent on the value of his cooperation.

According to ABC Chicago, he has also agreed to pay $80 million as part of the arrangement. His sentencing has been deferred while he fulfills cooperation obligations.

Legal experts suggest his insider testimony could be pivotal in dismantling cartel cells, potentially implicating other traffickers and corrupt officials or "political protectors" who enabled cartel activity. The U.S. Justice Department sees this as a strategic blow to the Sinaloa Cartel leadership, especially amid fragmenting internal power structures following betrayals like the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

Ovidio also reportedly negotiated the protection of several family members, 17 of whom crossed the border into the U.S. earlier this year. 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.