Mexico El Chapo’s son to plead guilty in U.S. drug case
Ovidio Guzman Pleads Guilty in Chicago
Deal with Prosecutors
Ovidio Guzman, 35, is expected to enter a guilty plea on Friday in a Chicago courtroom, following a negotiated agreement that foregoes a jury trial and potentially harsher penalties.
Background on Los Chapitos
Nicknamed “El Raton” or “The Mouse,” Guzman has been linked to a subgroup of the Sinaloa Cartel known as Los Chapitos. The trio of brothers, including Ovidio, leads this faction, which the US has classified as a global terrorist organization.
Implications for Drug Trafficking
- Guzman faces charges for conspiracy in a continuing criminal enterprise, importing and distributing fentanyl, laundering money, and firearms use.
- His guilty plea is likely to result in a far shorter prison term than the life sentence imposed on his father, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, in 2018.
- The fentanyl empire has contributed to the opioid epidemic, linked to tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.
US Response
US authorities, including former DEA head Mike Vigil, anticipate that Guzman will provide valuable insights into cartel operations and protective networks. The Trump administration further sanctioned Los Chapitos in June, increasing the reward to $10 million for each fugitive brother.
