Latest news with #JoaquinGuzmanLopez
Sunday World
12-07-2025
- Sunday World
Son of Mexican drug kingpin ‘El Chapo' Guzman admits trafficking charges
Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, ran a faction of the Sinaloa cartel. A son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin 'El Chapo' has pleaded guilty Friday to US drug trafficking charges. Prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, ran a faction of the Sinaloa cartel. They became known locally as the 'Chapitos', or little Chapos, and federal authorities in 2023 described the operation as a massive effort to send 'staggering' quantities of fentanyl into the US. Ovidio Guzman Lopez pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges tied to his leadership role in the cartel. Ovidio Guzman Lopez has pleaded guilty (CEPROPIE via AP) News in 90 Seconds - Saturday July 12 As part of a plea agreement, Guzman Lopez admitted to helping oversee the production and smuggling of large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl into the United States, fuelling a crisis that has contributed to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. Terms of the deal, including sentencing recommendations or cooperation agreements, were not immediately disclosed. Speculation about a deal had percolated for months, as behind-the-scenes negotiations quietly progressed. The hearing was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was moved to Friday by US District Judge Sharon Coleman without explanation. Hearings have often been delayed or rescheduled. Ovidio Guzman Lopez's father, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, is serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2019 for his role as the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, having smuggled mountains of cocaine and other drugs into the United States over 25 years. The brothers allegedly assumed their father's former role as leaders of the Sinaloa cartel. Ovidio Guzman Lopez was arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the United States. He initially pleaded not guilty but signalled in recent months his intent to change his plea. Joaquin Guzman Lopez and another long-time Sinaloa leader, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, were arrested in July 2024 in Texas after they landed in the US on a private plane. Both men have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges. Their dramatic capture prompted a surge in violence in Mexico's northern state of Sinaloa as two factions of the Sinaloa cartel clashed.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
El Chapo's son Ovidio Guzman Lopez pleads guilty to US drug charges
A son of imprisoned Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman pleaded guilty on Friday to four criminal counts in two related drug trafficking cases targeting the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug distribution and two counts of participation in a continuing criminal enterprise before U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman in Chicago. He faces a possible life sentence. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and speaking softly through an interpreter, he admitted to a litany of crimes outlined in a pair of federal indictments, including murder, kidnapping and bribery. His lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His next court appearance will be in six months. In indictments filed in New York and Chicago, prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brothers -- known as the 'Chapitos,' or little Chapos -- revived the Sinaloa Cartel after their father's arrest in 2016 by embracing fentanyl, reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in profits by sending the deadly opioid to the U.S. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also known as 'El Raton' (The Mouse) or 'Raton Nuevo,' (New Mouse) was extradited from Mexico in September 2023 as part of the federal government's war on fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that killed nearly 200 Americans daily in 2023. That death toll has been a focus of President Donald Trump's trade negotiations with Mexico, with Trump demanding Mexico do more to stop the flow of fentanyl in exchange for tariff relief. Ovidio's brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez was arrested in El Paso along with Sinaloa kingpin Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada last July after U.S. authorities recruited Joaquin to lure Zambada into the U.S. on a private plane. Also known as 'El Guero' or 'Guero Moreno,' Joaquin Guzman Lopez pleaded 'not guilty' to drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and prosecutors say they will not pursue the death penalty against him. Zambada, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, has also pleaded 'not guilty'. In February, his lawyer said he would be willing to plead 'guilty' if prosecutors agreed to spare him the death penalty. El Chapo is serving a life sentence at a maximum security prison in Colorado after being convicted of drug trafficking in 2019. - REUTERS
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
El Chapo's Son Ovidio Guzman Pleads Guilty in U.S. Court
A son of imprisoned Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman pleaded guilty on Friday to four criminal counts in two related drug trafficking cases targeting the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug distribution and two counts of participation in a continuing criminal enterprise before U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman in Chicago. He faces a possible life sentence. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and speaking softly through an interpreter, he admitted to a litany of crimes outlined in a pair of federal indictments, including murder, kidnapping and bribery. His lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His next court appearance will be in six months. In indictments filed in New York and Chicago, prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brothers -- known as the 'Chapitos,' or little Chapos -- revived the Sinaloa Cartel after their father's arrest in 2016 by embracing fentanyl, reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in profits by sending the deadly opioid to the U.S. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also known as 'El Raton' (The Mouse) or 'Raton Nuevo,' (New Mouse) was extradited from Mexico in September 2023 as part of the federal government's war on fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that killed nearly 200 Americans daily in 2023. That death toll has been a focus of President Donald Trump's trade negotiations with Mexico, with Trump demanding Mexico do more to stop the flow of fentanyl in exchange for tariff relief. Ovidio's brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez was arrested in El Paso along with Sinaloa kingpin Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada last July after U.S. authorities recruited Joaquin to lure Zambada into the U.S. on a private plane. Also known as 'El Guero' or 'Guero Moreno,' Joaquin Guzman Lopez pleaded 'not guilty' to drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and prosecutors say they will not pursue the death penalty against him. Zambada, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, has also pleaded 'not guilty'. In February, his lawyer said he would be willing to plead 'guilty' if prosecutors agreed to spare him the death penalty. El Chapo is serving a life sentence at a maximum security prison in Colorado after being convicted of drug trafficking in 2019. - REUTERS
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
El Chapo's son Ovidio Guzman Lopez pleads guilty to US drug charges
CHICAGO: A son of imprisoned Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman pleaded guilty on Friday to four criminal counts in two related drug trafficking cases targeting the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug distribution and two counts of participation in a continuing criminal enterprise before US District Judge Sharon Coleman in Chicago. He faces a possible life sentence. Prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brothers -- known as the "Chapitos," or little Chapos -- revived the Sinaloa Cartel after their father's arrest in 2016 by embracing fentanyl, reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in profits by sending the deadly opioid to the US. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also known as "El Raton" or "Raton Nuevo," was extradited to the US from Mexico in late 2023 as part of the federal government's war on fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that killed nearly 200 Americans daily the same year. That death toll has been a flashpoint in President Donald Trump's trade negotiations with Mexico, with Trump demanding Mexico do more to stop the flow of fentanyl in exchange for tariff relief. Ovidio Guzman Lopez brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez was arrested in El Paso along with Sinaloa kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada last July in a dramatic coup for US authorities, who recruited Joaquin Guzman Lopez to lure Zambada into the country on a private plane. Also known as "El Guero" or "Guero Moreno," Joaquin Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and prosecutors say they will not pursue the death penalty against him. Zambada, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, has also pleaded not guilty. In February, his lawyer told Reuters he would be willing to plead guilty if prosecutors agreed to spare him the death penalty. El Chapo is serving a life sentence at a maximum security prison in Colorado after his 2019 drug trafficking conviction. - Reuters
West Australian
11-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Son of 'El Chapo' pleads guilty to US drug charges
A son of imprisoned Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has pleaded guilty to four criminal counts in two related drug trafficking cases targeting the Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug distribution and two counts of participation in a continuing criminal enterprise before US District Judge Sharon Coleman in Chicago. He faces a possible life sentence. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and speaking softly through an interpreter, he admitted to a litany of crimes outlined in a pair of federal indictments, including murder, kidnapping and bribery. His lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His next court appearance will be in six months. In indictments filed in New York and Chicago, prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brothers - known as the "Chapitos," or little Chapos - revived the Sinaloa Cartel after their father's arrest in 2016 by embracing fentanyl, reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in profits by sending the deadly opioid to the US. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also known as "El Raton" (The Mouse) or "Raton Nuevo," (New Mouse) was extradited to the US from Mexico in September 2023 as part of the federal government's war on fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that killed nearly 200 people daily in the US in 2023. That death toll has been a flashpoint in US President Donald Trump's trade negotiations with Mexico, with Trump demanding Mexico do more to stop the flow of fentanyl in exchange for tariff relief. Ovidio Guzman Lopez's brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez was arrested in El Paso along with Sinaloa kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada last July in a dramatic coup for US authorities, who recruited Joaquin Guzman Lopez to lure Zambada into the country on a private plane. Also known as "El Guero" or "Guero Moreno," Joaquin Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and prosecutors say they will not pursue the death penalty against him. Zambada, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, has also pleaded not guilty. In February, his lawyer told Reuters he would be willing to plead guilty if prosecutors agreed to spare him the death penalty. El Chapo is serving a life sentence at a maximum security prison in Colorado after his 2019 drug trafficking conviction.
