Ovidio Guzman Removed From Prison And Taken To Secret Location After Plea Deal With U.S. Authorities

Cartel leader Ovidio Guzman has been removed from prison and taken to a secret location following his plea deal with U.S. authorities.

Infobae reported that Guzman, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as "Los Chapitos," was released from a Chicago prison on Monday.

The son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman will be moved to a confidential location as part of the protected witness program.

Guzman is expected to collaborate with U.S. authorities following his plea deal. 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.

In fact, a Mexican senator recently 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.

Guzman pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges related to his role as leader of the "Chapitos." 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.

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.