Son of notorious cartel leader “El Chapo” to plead guilty in U.S. drug trafficking case

Ovidio Guzmán López, son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, plans to plead guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges, according to newly filed court documents. Prosecutors say he and his brother led the “Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggled fentanyl into the U.S. and used brutal torture methods against rivals. Arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the U.S., Ovidio previously pleaded not guilty but is now expected to change his plea as part of a deal at a July 9 hearing in Chicago, CBS News has reported. His case comes amid ongoing cartel violence in Mexico between rival factions loyal to El Chapo’s sons and other leaders.