Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of one of the most feared drug lords in the world, is planning to plead guilty in a major drug trafficking case in the United States. This decision marks a big shift from his earlier not-guilty plea.
Ovidio is the son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the infamous head of the Sinaloa cartel. For over two decades, this cartel pushed tons of drugs like cocaine into the United States. El Chapo is currently serving a life sentence in a U.S. high-security prison.
Court records show that Ovidio will appear in federal court in Chicago on July 9 to officially change his plea. This new plea deal comes after rumors in May suggested he might choose to avoid a trial. Court documents filed Tuesday confirm that he now intends to plead guilty.
He is the first among his brothers to make such a deal with U.S. prosecutors.
The “Chapitos” and Their Brutal Legacy
Ovidio, along with his brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez, is believed to have led a dangerous part of the Sinaloa cartel called “Los Chapitos” or “Little Chapos.” Prosecutors say that this group was deeply involved in moving fentanyl and other deadly drugs into the U.S.
This powerful drug operation wasn’t just about smuggling. Court filings allege horrific violence was used to maintain control. According to a 2023 indictment, victims were tortured with corkscrews, hot chili, and even electrocution. Some people were said to be fed to tigers, either dead or alive.
These shocking details paint a dark picture of the methods used by the cartel to punish enemies and keep rivals in fear.
Ovidio was arrested in Mexico in 2023 and later handed over to the United States. He now faces serious charges including drug trafficking, firearm offenses, and money laundering.
A Family Tied to Crime and Chaos
Ovidio’s arrest was not without consequences. When he was captured, violent clashes broke out in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The violence came from a power struggle between two sides of the cartel. On one side are those loyal to El Chapo and his sons, and on the other are supporters of another long-time cartel leader.
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More than 1,200 people have lost their lives due to the battles between these rival groups within the cartel.
Ovidio’s brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, is also in U.S. custody. He was arrested in July after arriving in Texas on a private jet. Like his brother once did, he has pleaded not guilty to similar drug and money laundering charges. Prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty for him, even if he is convicted.
Another top cartel leader, also captured in Texas, is facing charges and has pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, the wife of El Chapo was released from prison in 2023. She had been sentenced to three years after being arrested in 2021.
As this powerful cartel’s inner circle faces U.S. justice, all eyes are now on Ovidio’s upcoming court appearance. If the guilty plea goes through, it will be a major legal development in one of the world’s most dangerous drug empires.