Background on Ovidio Guzmán and His Family
Ovidio Guzmán is the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the co-founders of the Sinaloa Cartel. The cartel is a notorious Mexican drug trafficking organization that has been involved in the global drug trade for decades. Joaquín Guzmán was captured and imprisoned multiple times, most notably in 2016 and again in 2017. His son, Ovidio Guzmán, became a target for U.S. authorities following his father’s extradition to the United States in September 2023.
Ovidio Guzmán’s Arrest and Release
Ovidio Guzmán was arrested in Culiacán on October 17, 2019. However, his detention was short-lived as former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ordered his release due to the violent backlash from the Sinaloa Cartel. This decision sparked controversy and raised questions about the Mexican government’s ability to control organized crime.
Recent Developments and Negotiations
On Tuesday, the Mexican government confirmed that 17 relatives of Ovidio Guzmán voluntarily traveled to the United States as part of negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice, according to Mexico’s Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch.
García Harfuch clarified that these relatives were “not sought by Mexican authorities.” He also mentioned that the U.S. Department of Justice should share information with Mexican authorities regarding this group.
U.S. Charges Against the Guzmán Children
The U.S. Department of Justice accuses Joaquín Guzmán’s four children, including Ovidio, of taking control of the Sinaloa Cartel following their father’s conviction and imprisonment in 2019. Ovidio and another brother, Joaquín, have already been detained in the United States. The U.S. authorities are also seeking Ovidio’s brothers, Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Ovidio Guzmán? Ovidio Guzmán is the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the co-founders of the Sinaloa Cartel.
- Why are his relatives relevant? Ovidio Guzmán’s relatives have become targets for U.S. authorities following his father’s extradition to the United States in September 2023.
- What led to the recent developments? The Mexican government confirmed that 17 relatives of Ovidio Guzmán voluntarily traveled to the United States as part of negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice.
- What is the status of Ovidio Guzmán? Ovidio Guzmán and another brother, Joaquín, have been detained in the United States. The U.S. authorities are also seeking Ovidio’s brothers, Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo.
- What does the U.S. Department of Justice claim? The U.S. Department of Justice accuses Joaquín Guzmán’s four children, including Ovidio, of taking control of the Sinaloa Cartel following their father’s conviction and imprisonment in 2019.
