In a development sparking shockwaves across both sides of the border, nearly 20 family members of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán one of the most notorious drug lords in modern history were quietly allowed into the United States, the result of a secretive agreement between the Trump administration and the cartel.
The Associated Press reported that the special entry was granted following negotiations with Ovidio Guzmán Lopez, El Chapo’s son and a senior figure in the powerful Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio, who remains in U.S. custody awaiting federal charges, is said to have orchestrated the deal as part of ongoing discussions with U.S. authorities.
The Sinaloa Cartel, recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization, is one of the most dangerous drug trafficking operations in the world. It is responsible for flooding the U.S. with fentanyl and other deadly narcotics—contributing to the country’s devastating opioid epidemic.
Last week, 17 relatives of El Chapo and Ovidio walked across the border at Tijuana, where U.S. agents were waiting for them. The group, reportedly carrying suitcases, was not detained or questioned by Mexican authorities. Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed their entry, stating that it was “evident” the group’s access was tied to an offer extended by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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“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,” García Harfuch told reporters. While the family members are not wanted by Mexican law enforcement, their sudden and secretive passage into the U.S. has stunned Mexican leadership.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo publicly expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s lack of transparency, saying her office was caught completely off guard. Mexico is now demanding full disclosure from the United States regarding the nature of the deal and why its prosecutors were not notified.
El Chapo, whose real name is Joaquín Guzmán Loera, was sentenced to life in prison in 2019 and is currently held in a maximum-security facility in Colorado. After his incarceration, Ovidio and his brothers—dubbed “Los Chapitos”—rebuilt the cartel’s operations, expanding their reach and deepening ties with international smuggling networks.
Ovidio Guzmán was first captured in 2019 but was released after the cartel launched violent retaliatory attacks on civilians and security forces. He was recaptured in 2023 during a military operation that left over 30 people dead. Despite pleading not guilty, he is expected to change his plea later this summer in a U.S. federal court, fueling speculation that his cooperation with the DOJ may be part of a broader plea deal.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department has intensified its crackdown on the cartel, charging its leaders with “narcoterrorism”—a legal classification not used since Trump first labeled cartels as terrorist organizations. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon issued a direct warning to the Sinaloa Cartel during a press conference earlier this week.
“Let me be direct,” Gordon said. “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 in a courtroom in the Southern District of California.”
Still, critics argue that Trump’s decision to cut a deal with a criminal enterprise classified as a terrorist organization sends a dangerous message. By allowing the families of drug traffickers into the country without public disclosure, the administration risks accusations of hypocrisy, especially given Trump’s hardline stance on immigration and border security.
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As the fallout continues, pressure is mounting on both sides of the border for answers. Mexican prosecutors are still waiting for an official response from the Trump administration, and the Department of Justice has so far declined to comment on footage allegedly showing the cartel family crossing into the U.S.
While the long-term impact of this deal remains unclear, the political consequences are already coming into focus—fueling a debate over whether fighting cartels should ever involve bargaining with them.
Source: TheDailyBeast.com
