Two sons of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman are reportedly in talks with US authorities regarding their potential surrender. Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar heads Los Chapitos, a prominent drug trafficking group in Mexico and a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel formed after his father’s arrest in 2016. US authorities have issued a $10 million reward for his apprehension.
Ivan, along with his brother Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, are currently evading capture. In contrast, Ovidio Guzman Lopez and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, El Chapo’s other sons involved in the family business, have been arrested and are in US custody.
Sources cited by the LA Times indicate that Ivan and his brother are contemplating a potential surrender deal with US authorities. These discussions have been ongoing for about a year, with the fugitive brothers possibly monitoring their half-siblings’ legal outcomes in US courts before making a final decision.
Joaquin Guzman Lopez, arrested in July 2024 with Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, a former Sinaloa Cartel leader, admitted guilt to drug trafficking and money laundering charges before US authorities in December. It was revealed in court that he was behind El Mayo’s abduction before being transferred to the US. Both he and Ovidio are cooperating with law enforcement.
Should Ivan face prosecution in the US, it is uncertain if he will be charged in connection to El Mayo’s kidnapping, with reports suggesting that the aircraft transporting El Mayo was linked to Ivan. According to the US Department of State, Ivan and Jesus hold leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel, overseeing fentanyl trafficking activities including coordinating shipments from China to Mexico and managing drug profits for cartel members.
The department alleges that Ivan is responsible for supervising the trafficking of various controlled substances for the Sinaloa Cartel, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana.