El Chapo's sons, the Chapitos, negotiating plea deal with US government
El Chapo's sons
Mexican drug lord El Chapo's sons, Ovidio Guzmán and Joaquín Guzmán López are in talks with the United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago for a possible plea deal, their lawyer confirmed Monday. However, it is not known if the two will accept a plea agreement or will become cooperating witnesses.
Jeffrey Lichtman, who represented El Chapo during his 2019 federal trial, will represent both the brothers after the federal judge allowed it. El Chapo's four sons, Ovidio and Joaquín and their other two brothers still at large in Mexico, led the "Los Chapitos" faction of the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico. The cartel is one of the biggest organised crime groups in Mexico.
Monday's hearing confirmed an August report by the Mexican news organisation Milenio that the brothers were negotiating a deal for a more lenient sentence. This might lead them to become cooperating witnesses for the US government, although it is not confirmed yet.
Also Read:Mexican official to spend nearly 460 months in jail for helping Sinaloa drug cartel
Ovidio Guzmán, known as "El Ratón" (The Mouse) was extradited to the US in September last year. Monday's hearing in a Chicago federal court was part of the proceedings against him. The next hearing in the case will take place on January 7.
El Ratón's arrest
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
Lock Upp 2: Harshad Chopda sacrifices finale spot to save Shivangi Joshi, sparks internet debate
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Muslims should not befriend kaafirs': Pak Army DG says India-Afghan ties that of 'master-slave'
)
Dhaka raises Sheikh Hasina’s planned address with Indian envoy
)
22 children dead, 35 infected: India's Gujarat faces Chandipura virus outbreak — Experts explain symptoms
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
'FIR not withdrawn' against Noida teen who 'abused' PM Modi despite apology, claims CJP
)
Pakistan minister admits ‘system has collapsed’, Munir pushes for more provinces | Gravitas
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
US signs deal to boost production of Patriot, THAAD missile interceptor systems
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
‘Deal or total surrender’: Trump says Iran’s leadership dishonest and ‘unbelievably duplicitous’
)
‘Talks on right now’: Trump says he wants to give Iran ‘every last chance before decapitation’
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Trump says US oil firms made ‘too much money’ off high prices during Iran conflict
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
US move on Venezuela oil bond could unlock gains for India’s energy companies
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC T20I rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
'He is courageous leader': DK Shivakumar after TN CM Vijay postpone his Cauvery-related Karnataka visit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
Tamil Nadu leader Udhayanidhi Stalin draws severe backlash over derogatory remark against Trisha
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Tom Holland-Zendaya to Blake Lively-Ryan Reynolds: Actors who met on sets and fell in love and married
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
The first time he was captured was in October 2019 during something called the "Culiacanazo". Mexican authorities released him soon after detaining him to prevent further bloodshed. He was then caught by Mexican authorities in Sinaloa in January 2023 and accused of several crimes, including drug trafficking and money laundering, in three districts.
Joaquín Guzmán López was arrested in July this year. The Sinaloa cartel's secretive leader, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, was also held with him.
War between Sinaloa cartel factions
El Mayo was part of a different faction of the Sinaloa cartel that has been at loggerheads with Los Chapitos ever since one of El Mayo’s sons testified against El Chapo in the 2019 trial.
El Mayo has accused Joaquín Guzmán López of kidnapping him in Mexico and handing him over to American officials. He claimed in a letter that Joaquín Guzmán López’s men called him on the pretext of a meeting with the governor and another politician in the Mexican city of Culiacán. The Mexican attorney general’s office has been investigating the events leading up to El Mayo’s kidnapping and arrest.
The two factions are currently fighting each other in Mexico to end the other and gain access to drug trafficking routes and full control over the Sinaloa cartel.
