In a revelation that has stirred international attention, Mexico’s top security official has verified that 17 relatives of a prominent cartel figure were permitted entry into the United States as part of a covert arrangement involving the Trump administration. The individuals in question are reportedly family members of Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and a known leader within a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The move, which was kept under wraps until recently, appears to be part of a broader negotiation effort between Guzmán López and American authorities.
Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch publicly confirmed the story, originally reported by independent journalist Luis Chaparro, during a radio interview. Harfuch stated that it was evident the family’s migration was not accidental or unauthorized, but a deliberate act stemming from discussions between Guzmán López and representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice. This confirmation adds significant weight to earlier rumors about Guzmán López’s potential cooperation with American prosecutors, possibly in exchange for leniency in the numerous charges he faces related to drug trafficking and organized crime.
Video footage released last week captured the moment Guzmán López’s relatives were seen walking across the border at Tijuana, luggage in hand, as they were received by U.S. officials. While their arrival raised immediate speculation about its legality and context, officials in both nations had remained silent—until now. García Harfuch clarified that the Mexican government is not seeking the extradition or arrest of these family members, suggesting that their legal status may have been pre-arranged in coordination with U.S. agencies. He also noted that Mexico has yet to receive any formal communication or shared intelligence from the American side, despite expectations of bilateral cooperation on such a sensitive matter.
This development coincided with another major announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Prosecutors revealed new charges of “narcoterrorism” against several cartel leaders—marking the first use of the term since cartels were designated as terrorist organizations during Donald Trump’s presidency. Although authorities refrained from commenting on the video showing the family’s border crossing, U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon took a firm stance in addressing the broader cartel network. In a strongly worded message, Gordon warned cartel members that their days of evading justice were numbered, signaling an aggressive and uncompromising legal pursuit.
Gordon’s remarks reflect a strategic shift in how American law enforcement intends to deal with drug cartels, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel. By turning high-profile criminals into informants and offering concessions to their families, the U.S. may be aiming to dismantle these organizations from within. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the public and legal analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these behind-the-scenes deals impact future prosecutions and U.S.-Mexico cooperation in the fight against organized crime.
