Mexican security officials have confirmed that seventeen family members of notorious cartel leaders crossed into the United States as part of a secretive deal with the Trump administration, raising questions about how this arrangement will affect the fight against drug trafficking.
At a Glance
- 17 family members of Sinaloa Cartel leaders entered the U.S. under a deal between cartel figure Ovidio Guzmán López and the Trump administration
- Guzmán López, son of former Sinaloa Cartel boss “El Chapo,” was extradited to the U.S. in 2023 and may be negotiating a plea deal
- Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed the border crossing was captured on video showing the family moving from Tijuana to U.S. custody
- U.S. prosecutors have not shared information about the deal with Mexican authorities despite bringing “narcoterrorism” charges against cartel leadership
Border Crossing Confirmed by Mexican Officials
Mexico’s top security official, Omar García Harfuch, has verified that family members connected to the powerful Sinaloa Cartel leadership crossed into the United States through Tijuana. The group of 17 individuals are relatives of Ovidio Guzmán López, one of the sons of notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who was extradited to the United States in 2023. Video footage captured the organized crossing, showing the family members being received by U.S. agents at the border in what appears to be a carefully coordinated operation.
The arrangement highlights the complex relationship between U.S. law enforcement and Mexican criminal organizations. García Harfuch stated that Mexican authorities were not consulted about this movement of cartel family members across the border, suggesting a unilateral decision by U.S. officials. The crossing occurred amid growing concerns about drug trafficking and cartel violence affecting both nations, with the Sinaloa Cartel remaining one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere despite years of law enforcement pressure.
Plea Deal Negotiations Underway
According to security officials, Guzmán López is likely negotiating a plea agreement with U.S. prosecutors to avoid a lengthy trial on drug trafficking charges. The movement of his family members to U.S. territory suggests these negotiations have progressed significantly. García Harfuch confirmed the nature of the arrangement, noting that the crossing was clearly part of a deal between Guzmán López and American authorities. The relocation of family members to the United States is often a key condition in high-profile cooperation agreements with cartel figures.
“It is evident that his family is going to the U.S. because of a negotiation or an offer that the Department of Justice is giving him,” said Garcia Harfuch.
The cooperation likely involves Guzmán López providing valuable intelligence about rival criminal organizations and possibly other factions within the Sinaloa Cartel itself. This information could prove crucial for U.S. authorities attempting to disrupt cartel operations and supply chains. Despite the apparent cooperation, Mexican officials expressed frustration that the U.S. government has not shared information about the arrangement with Mexican prosecutors, potentially hampering joint anti-cartel efforts and raising sovereignty concerns.
U.S. Prosecutors Take Aim at Cartel Leadership
The U.S. Attorney General’s Office has recently announced serious charges against top Sinaloa Cartel leaders, labeling their activities as “narcoterrorism.” These indictments suggest American authorities are pursuing an aggressive strategy against the organization despite the apparent deal with Guzmán López. Prosecutors have not publicly confirmed details about any plea arrangement, but the movement of family members across the border aligns with typical witness protection protocols for high-value cooperators in major drug trafficking cases.
“Let me be direct, to the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, you are no longer the hunters, you are the hunted. You will be betrayed by your friends, you will be hounded by your enemies, and you will ultimately find yourself and your face here in a courtroom in the Southern District of California,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon issued a stern warning to remaining Sinaloa Cartel leadership, emphasizing that they have become prime targets for American law enforcement. The forceful rhetoric suggests authorities believe Guzmán López’s cooperation will substantially weaken the cartel’s operational capacity. This development comes as the United States continues to battle an unprecedented fentanyl crisis largely attributed to Mexican cartels, with synthetic opioids flooding across the southern border and causing tens of thousands of American deaths annually.
