Overview

• Ovidio Guzman, a leader in the Sinaloa Cartel and son of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman, is negotiating a plea deal in a U.S. fentanyl trafficking case.
• Court records confirm an in-person change of plea hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2025, in the Northern District of Illinois.
• The government is required to submit the finalized plea agreement at least three days before the hearing, though no agreement has been completed yet.
• Guzman and his brothers, known as 'Los Chapitos,' oversaw a fentanyl trafficking operation linked to tens of thousands of U.S. overdose deaths annually.
• This case highlights ongoing U.S.-Mexico cooperation to combat synthetic opioid trafficking and hold cartel leaders accountable.