Chicago, Illinois – A significant turn in one of the most closely watched cartel prosecutions is expected next week, as Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of notorious Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, prepares to plead guilty in a US federal court. New filings indicate that he will formally change his plea on Monday, marking a major development in ongoing efforts by prosecutors to dismantle the cartel’s leadership structure.
Upcoming Court Hearing Signals Shift in Strategy
Guzman Lopez, initially arrested in July 2024 after arriving in Texas on a private plane, had previously entered a not-guilty plea. Federal court documents now show that he intends to reverse that stance at a scheduled hearing in the US District Court in Chicago.
The change follows mounting pressure within the cartel and among his own brothers, collectively known as “Los Chapitos.” The group took control of operations after their father’s 2016 arrest. Guzman Lopez’s legal team did not immediately comment on the shift, but sources cited by MVS Noticias suggest the decision may reflect broader negotiations with US authorities.
Background on the High-Profile Arrest
When Guzman Lopez was detained, he was traveling with Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, cofounder of the Sinaloa cartel. Zambada later alleged that he had been deceived about the plane’s destination and forcibly taken into US custody. The arrest triggered violent clashes between rival cartel factions, one loyal to Los Chapitos and the other to Zambada. According to official data, these confrontations resulted in an estimated 1,200 deaths and 1,400 disappearances across Mexico.
US officials accuse the cartel of being the primary distributor of fentanyl into the United States, where the synthetic opioid continues to drive a devastating overdose crisis.
Connections to Ongoing Plea Deals
The anticipated guilty plea mirrors the legal strategy taken by Ovidio Guzman, another son of El Chapo. In July 2025, Ovidio agreed to a plea deal involving conspiracy and participation in a criminal enterprise in exchange for a reduced sentence. During that plea, he acknowledged that he and his brothers assumed control of the cartel after their father’s downfall.
With Guzman Lopez now expected to plead guilty, federal prosecutors in Chicago have indicated they are no longer seeking the death penalty. ABC 7 Chicago reported that discussions regarding a formal plea agreement are underway.
His court appearance is set for Monday at 1:30 p.m.
Two Brothers Still on the Run
While legal proceedings move forward in Chicago, two remaining Chapitos brothers — Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar — are fugitives. Both face major drug-trafficking indictments in the United States, and federal authorities have increased the reward for information leading to their capture to $10 million each.
Their father, El Chapo, remains incarcerated at a supermax prison in Colorado, serving a life sentence after his 2019 conviction.
Escalating US-Mexico Tensions Over Cartel Threats
The US government maintains that the Sinaloa cartel is responsible for producing and transporting large quantities of fentanyl, fueling tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. President Donald Trump has designated the cartel — along with five other Mexican drug-trafficking groups — as global terrorist organizations.
Washington has also imposed fresh sanctions on the fugitive Chapitos brothers, stating that they continue to direct fentanyl operations that pose a significant threat to public health and national security.
Why This Case Matters
Guzman Lopez’s impending plea is more than a legal formality. It could reshape future cartel prosecutions, inform US-Mexico cooperation, and provide insight into internal cartel dynamics. Analysts say his cooperation, if confirmed, may expose operational channels within the Sinaloa cartel and potentially influence ongoing conflicts among its factions.
Conclusion
As the hearing approaches, all eyes are on Chicago’s federal court, where the next steps in this major criminal investigation will be determined. Whether this plea signals a wider unraveling of cartel leadership remains to be seen.
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