Mexican Security Secretary Confirms Guzmán Family’s U.S. Entry Amid Cartel Plea Negotiations

May 13, 2025

Overview

Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed that 17 relatives of Ovidio Guzmán López, a key figure in the Sinaloa Cartel and son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, crossed into the United States as part of negotiations with U.S. authorities. This development follows Ovidio’s extradition to the U.S. in 2023 to face drug trafficking charges and coincides with reports of a potential plea deal. The move has sparked discussions about U.S.-Mexico cooperation on cartel-related prosecutions, the safety of cartel-affiliated families, and the broader implications for bilateral security policies.

Facts

On May 13, 2025, Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, stated during a Radio Fórmula interview that 17 relatives of Ovidio Guzmán López entered the U.S. as part of a negotiation with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ovidio Guzmán López, extradited to the U.S. in September 2023, faces charges in the Northern District of Illinois for drug trafficking, including cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana.
García Harfuch clarified that none of the family members who crossed into the U.S. were wanted by Mexican authorities.
The U.S. Department of Justice has not publicly commented on the negotiations or the family’s entry, with spokesperson Nicole Navas declining to provide details.
Ovidio Guzmán López, known as “El Ratón,” pleaded not guilty in a Chicago federal court in 2023 but is reportedly negotiating a plea deal, as confirmed by judicial sources in October 2024.
Historical context: The Sinaloa Cartel, co-founded by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, has been a primary target of U.S. and Mexican authorities, with El Chapo sentenced to life in prison in 2019.

Perspectives

Mexican Government (Omar García Harfuch): The Mexican government views the family’s U.S. entry as a direct outcome of Ovidio Guzmán’s negotiations with U.S. authorities. García Harfuch emphasized Mexico’s role in Ovidio’s arrest and extradition, noting that the family’s move does not involve individuals wanted by Mexican authorities, reflecting cooperation with U.S. counterparts.
U.S. Department of Justice: While no official statement has been released, the Department’s involvement in negotiations suggests a strategic approach to securing plea deals with high-profile cartel figures, potentially to dismantle Sinaloa Cartel operations or gain testimony against other cartel leaders like Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Ovidio Guzmán’s Legal Team (Jeffrey Lichtman): Guzmán’s attorney has acknowledged plea deal discussions, focusing on minimizing penalties for Ovidio while navigating potential conflicts of interest, as Lichtman also represents Ovidio’s brother, Joaquín Guzmán López. The family’s relocation may be tied to ensuring their safety or incentivizing cooperation.
Mexican Civil Society Groups: Advocacy groups in Mexico, such as those focused on victims of cartel violence, express concern that allowing cartel family members to enter the U.S. could undermine justice for affected communities. They argue that such negotiations prioritize U.S. interests over addressing Mexico’s ongoing security crisis.
U.S. Anti-Drug Advocacy Organizations: Groups advocating for stronger anti-drug policies in the U.S. support negotiations that could disrupt the Sinaloa Cartel’s fentanyl trafficking networks, viewing the family’s relocation as a necessary step to secure high-value cooperation from Ovidio Guzmán.

Considerations

The relocation of cartel family members to the U.S. highlights the complexities of international plea negotiations, balancing justice with strategic outcomes like dismantling criminal networks.
U.S.-Mexico security cooperation faces scrutiny, as Mexico demands greater transparency from U.S. authorities regarding cross-border operations.
The Sinaloa Cartel’s internal conflicts, particularly between the Chapitos and Mayo factions, may escalate if plea deals lead to testimony against other cartel leaders.
Short-term safety for Guzmán’s family in the U.S. contrasts with long-term risks of cartel retaliation against cooperating individuals or their relatives.
Public trust in Mexican institutions may erode if high-profile cartel negotiations are perceived as prioritizing foreign interests over domestic justice.
The focus on fentanyl trafficking in U.S. plea deals reflects growing policy emphasis on combating the opioid crisis, potentially shaping future extradition agreements.