El Chapo’s Son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Pleads Guilty to US Drug Charges
chicago – Joaquin Guzman lopez, son of convicted drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, pleaded guilty today in a Chicago court to drug trafficking, firearms charges, and money laundering, according to his defense lawyer. The guilty plea marks a significant development in the US prosecution of high-ranking members of the Sinaloa cartel and comes after a period of violence in Mexico following his and his brother’s arrests.
Guzman Lopez’s plea follows that of his brother,Ovidio Guzman Lopez,who also admitted to similar charges in July. Their arrests – Joaquin’s occurring last year upon arrival in the US on a private plane with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada - triggered a surge in violence as factions within the Sinaloa cartel battled for control. Federal authorities reported in 2023 that the cartel was responsible for distributing “staggering” amounts of fentanyl into the US, contributing to thousands of opioid-related deaths annually.
Defense lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman stated after the hearing that the mexican government had not interfered with the proceedings,and expressed satisfaction with the fairness shown to Joaquin thus far. Ismael Zambada’s lawyer previously claimed his client was “forcibly kidnapped” by Guzman Lopez and compelled to travel to the US.
Their father, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is currently serving a life sentence in the US after being convicted in 2019 of leading the Sinaloa cartel and smuggling drugs into America for over 25 years. He previously escaped from a Mexican prison in 2015 via a tunnel before being recaptured and extradited.
