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Summary:

Joaquín Guzmán López, son of “El Chapo” Guzmán, is expected to plead guilty to at least one federal charge related to drug trafficking and organized crime in a Chicago court on December 1st, 2025. This is part of a plea deal being negotiated, similar to the one his brother Ovidio Guzmán made earlier. By pleading guilty, Joaquín hopes to reduce his sentence, which could be 20 years to life if convicted at trial. He may also cooperate with authorities, providing information about the Sinaloa Cartel, although possibly in a way that protects his brothers, “Los Chapitos.” Guzmán López is also accused of involvement in the alleged capture and delivery of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada to U.S. authorities. He and his brothers are accused of coordinating drug trafficking from Central and South America to the US. The outcome of the hearing will be critical in determining the terms of the plea agreement and future cooperation.

News Article:

“El Chapo’s” Son, Joaquín Guzmán López, Expected to Plead Guilty in Chicago Drug Case

Chicago, IL – November 30, 2025 – Joaquín Guzmán López, known as “El Güero” and the son of notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago on Monday, December 1st, where he is expected to change his plea to guilty on at least one federal charge related to drug trafficking and organized crime. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 PM local time.

Guzmán López faces five federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana; participation in a continuing criminal enterprise; money laundering; and possession of firearms. His defense team, led by attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, has been in negotiations with federal prosecutors for months, seeking a plea agreement.

This move mirrors a similar agreement made by his brother, Ovidio Guzmán, in July, where he agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities in exchange for a lighter sentence. A guilty plea could significantly reduce Joaquín Guzmán López’s sentence, which could range from a minimum of 20 years to life in prison if convicted at trial.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Guzmán López’s cooperation could potentially provide valuable intelligence on the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel, including information on drug routes, key operatives, and political connections. However, reports indicate that he might be communicating with his brothers, known as “Los Chapitos,” to ensure that any information shared does not directly impact their faction within the cartel.

Adding a controversial element to the case, Guzmán López is also accused of playing a role in the alleged capture and handover of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada to U.S. authorities in July 2024. Reports claim both were arrested at an airport near El Paso, Texas after being transported from Culiacán.

According to court documents, Joaquín Guzmán López, along with his brothers Ovidio, Jesús Alfredo, and Iván Archivaldo, allegedly coordinated the trafficking of drugs from Central and South America into Mexico for eventual distribution in the United States between 2008 and 2021. U.S. authorities estimate that “El Güero” personally profited over $10 million annually from these activities.

The hearing on Monday is expected to be a pivotal moment in the case. If the judge accepts the change of plea, the prosecution will move forward with recommending a sentence and defining the terms of the agreement, which may include further cooperation in other federal investigations. This would place Guzmán López on a similar path to other former Sinaloa Cartel members who have opted to cooperate with the U.S. government in exchange for legal and penitentiary benefits.

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