Two sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán – one imprisoned in the US, the other free in Mexico – reportedly made an agreement before one travelled from Mexico to El Paso, Texas last month, according to a Mexican security official.
Mexico’s Secretary of Security, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, informed reporters on Tuesday that Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the “Chapitos,” reached an agreement with his brother Ovidio Guzmán López. Ovidio was extradited to the US in 2023 and faces drug and money laundering charges.
“In the United States, there was an agreement between those in custody and those who are free,” Rodriguez stated. “There was a deal for their respective surrender to the United States.”
When asked if she meant an agreement between the brothers Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán López, Rodriguez confirmed, “That is correct.”
However, Ovidio’s attorney refuted Rodriguez’s claim, calling it “a complete and utter fabrication.”
“Ovidio has had no contact with his brother since being in US custody for the past year, and prior to that during his imprisonment in Mexico,” said defence attorney Jeffrey Lichtman.
The Mexican official’s comments add to the intrigue surrounding Joaquín Guzmán López’s arrest and the arrest of Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada after their flight from Mexico to Texas.
Both face charges for allegedly leading one of the world’s most powerful and deadly drug trafficking operations.
An attorney for Zambada stated he “neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the US government,” describing the flight to the US as a violent kidnapping.
Guzmán López has pleaded not guilty to narcotics, money laundering, and firearms charges. Lichtman has stated no deal was made with US officials and noted Guzmán López has not been accused of kidnapping. “When the government accuses him, then I’ll take notice,” he remarked.
“ “Chapitos” pactaron con EU entrega de Guzmán para ayudar a Ovidio”https://t.co/Uq0dpMMDWP
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It remains uncertain if Joaquín Guzmán López had finalised a deal with federal prosecutors before his arrest. However, one official previously mentioned he had been in contact with Homeland Security Investigation agents for months about turning himself and Zambada in.
A Department of Justice spokesperson declined to comment on Wednesday.
Zambada is currently held in an undisclosed Texas location but will be moved to New York, where federal prosecutors in Brooklyn will handle his case. This is the same courthouse where El Chapo was tried and convicted in 2019.
An official indicated that Zambada will soon be transferred to New York from Texas, where an initial hearing is likely to take place.
The 76-year-old Zambada is held without bond after pleading not guilty on 26 July to seven federal criminal counts, including continuing criminal enterprise and money laundering.
Indictments against Zambada have been issued in New York, California, Texas, Illinois, and Washington, DC. Multiple districts expressed interest in prosecuting, sources said.
Several US attorneys sought to prosecute Zambada, but many lacked the necessary security infrastructure for such a high-profile case, a federal official indicated. The decision came down to three districts: one each in California, Florida, and New York.
New York’s Eastern District was chosen, given its successful conviction of El Chapo and the security measures established for his case.
Experts caution that capturing alleged cartel leaders might not reduce drug flow to the US or violence in Mexico and could potentially increase it. However, the information obtained from these leaders, particularly Zambada, might be valuable despite the potential upheaval among Mexican cartels.