Joaquín Guzmán López, Son of El Chapo, Breaks Silence and Pleads Guilty in the United States

Joaquín Guzmán López Pleads Guilty

Agreement with U.S. Justice

Leadership in criminal faction

According to the EFE news agency, Joaquín Guzmán López changed his legal stance by pleading guilty in a federal court in Chicago, a significant shift after having declared himself innocent last year.

The decision came as a surprise because his defense had repeatedly insisted he had no direct involvement in criminal operations, shaping different expectations regarding the legal strategy his team was presenting.

The change occurred during a hearing where media outlets confirmed he accepted responsibility for crimes related to drug trafficking and organized crime, marking a complete break from his initial defense.

This admission represents a decisive moment in the case, placing the accused in a new position before prosecutors and opening the door to possible future cooperation.

Details of His Criminal Role Within the Sinaloa Cartel

Joaquín Guzmán López, one of El Chapo Guzmán’s sons, pleaded guilty in the United States; this is how he acknowledged his charges… pic.twitter.com/Ghlad4E3MM

— N+ FORO (@nmasforo) December 1, 2025

U.S. authorities accuse Joaquín Guzmán López of overseeing the distribution of substances such as cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl while maintaining operational leadership in an active faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

His criminal activity involved working alongside his brother Ovidio Guzmán—also considered an important figure within the organization—which reinforces the narrative of family continuity at the top of the group.

The involvement of both brothers strengthens the U.S. hypothesis about the cartel’s internal reorganization following historic captures, preserving its production and distribution capabilities despite multiple high-impact blows.

This official acknowledgment of direct participation helps clarify how the organization operates, particularly regarding the logistics chain that supplies illicit markets within the United States.

Cooperation of El Chapo’s Son With U.S. Authorities

Joaquín Guzmán López, Son of El Chapo, Pleads Guilty in the United States – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman confirmed that the accused will return to court in June 2026, a period intended to assess the degree of cooperation Guzmán López provides.

Cooperation could directly influence his future sentence, especially if he delivers relevant information about internal operations, trafficking routes, or strategic connections among criminal actors involved.

The judicial process includes ongoing evaluations by prosecutors, who will determine whether the assistance he offers truly contributes to partially dismantling networks tied to international drug trafficking.

Previous court documents had already suggested Joaquín Guzmán López would change his plea during a routine hearing, turning the event into a turning point within the complex U.S. legal process.

Judicial Impact on Cartel Leadership

The accused’s arrival in the United States in 2024 on a private flight alongside “El Mayo” Zambada generated speculation about internal agreements and possible maneuvering to negotiate surrender arrangements.

Official versions indicate that this transfer may have been part of a strategic move intended to facilitate negotiations with prosecutors, altering internal dynamics within the Sinaloa Cartel.

The case is tied to the guilty plea of Ovidio Guzmán, who also accepted charges the previous year, further intensifying U.S. pressure on the cartel’s top leadership.

The guilty pleas of key figures mark a new judicial scenario that could weaken traditional cartel structures and reinforce federal investigations centered on international trafficking — a development closely linked to Joaquín Guzmán López’s guilty plea.