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, once led by Joaquín Guzmán, has been a significant player in the global drug trade for decades. Ovidio Guzmán’s surrender and subsequent family members’ actions have brought attention to the ongoing efforts of Mexican and U.S. authorities to dismantle criminal organizations.
Key Events Leading to the Surrender
- Arrest and Release: Ovidio Guzmán was arrested in Culiacán on October 17, 2019. However, he was released due to the violent backlash from the Sinaloa Cartel, orchestrated as retaliation under the order of then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
- Extradition Negotiations: Following his release, Ovidio Guzmán was extradited to the United States in September 2023. He has since been negotiating with U.S. prosecutors to plead guilty and avoid a trial.
- Family Members’ Surrender: In a recent development, 17 relatives of Ovidio Guzmán traveled to the United States as part of a “negotiation” with the U.S. Department of Justice, according to Mexico’s Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch.
Mexican Government’s Statement and U.S. Response
Secretary of Security Omar García Harfuch confirmed that the 17 relatives were not sought by Mexican authorities and voluntarily traveled to the U.S. as part of discussions with the Department of Justice. The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the matter when questioned by AFP.
García Harfuch emphasized that the U.S. Department of Justice should share information with Mexican authorities regarding this group of relatives, known as “Los Chapitos” or “the little Chapos,” referring to the sons of Joaquín Guzmán.
U.S. Accusations Against the Guzmán Sons
The U.S. government accuses Joaquín’s four sons, including Ovidio and his brothers Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo, of taking control of the Sinaloa Cartel following their father’s conviction and life sentence in 2019.
Currently, Ovidio and his brother Joaquín are the only “Chapitos” detained in the United States, while Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo remain at large.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Ovidio Guzmán? Ovidio Guzmán is the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, a prominent figure in the Sinaloa Cartel.
- Why were his relatives relevant? Ovidio Guzmán’s family members are significant because of their connection to the powerful Sinaloa Cartel and their recent surrender in the United States.
- What is the significance of their surrender? The surrender of 17 relatives may indicate cooperation with U.S. authorities and potentially weaken the Sinaloa Cartel’s influence.
- What is the status of other Guzmán sons? Besides Ovidio and Joaquín, Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo are still wanted by U.S. authorities.
