Ovidio Guzman Pleaded Guilty To Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering And Firearms Charges In Historic Deal

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, pleaded guilty to four charges as part of a historic agreement with U.S. authorities. They are drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges related to his role as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as "Los Chapitos."

Ovidio has become the the first son cartel leader "El Chapo" to admit guilt in a U.S. court. According to witnesses, Guzmán arrived dressed in prison orange and shackles, acknowledging his leadership of the "Chapitos" faction, 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.

Guzman's attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, said he would wait until the sentence to determine whether the deal was worth it.

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.

A Mexican senator said "narco-politicians will tremble" as a result of the deal. Concretely, PRI Senator Cristina Ruiz Sandoval said the leader of the "Chapitos" cartel could "name names" and put local politicians in hot water to get more lenient treatment for him and family members.