Sons of Notorious Cartel Kingpin 'El Chapo' May Turn Against Former Partners in Desperate Bid to Reduce Prison Sentences

In a highly anticipated development, the notorious sons of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán—Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán López, infamously known as "Los Chapitos"—are set to face a federal judge in Chicago on January 7, 2025. The hearing before Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, of the Northern District of Illinois, could mark a turning point in the U.S. government’s ongoing battle against the Sinaloa Cartel. The cartel, a sprawling criminal empire with vast influence across Mexico and the United States, has long been helmed by "El Chapo" Guzmán and his successors.

At the heart of the case is a crucial question: will the Guzmán López brothers strike a deal with U.S. authorities before the trial date, or will they proceed to a courtroom showdown that could expose the inner workings of one of the world’s most powerful drug cartels?

Joint Defense Raises Eyebrows

During a procedural hearing on October 21, Ovidio Guzmán, the younger of the two brothers, appeared in court under heavy security, escorted by five federal marshals. Dressed in the standard orange prison jumpsuit, tennis shoes, and shackles around his ankles, "El Ratón" (his nickname, meaning "The Mouse") stood before the judge with his trademark beard and glasses, showing the strain of months behind bars.

The hearing had one key issue to resolve: whether the brothers, facing charges related to international drug trafficking and other serious crimes, could be represented by the same attorney. Jeffrey Lichtman, a high-profile lawyer known for defending their father, "El Chapo," confirmed that he would be representing both brothers, despite concerns about a potential conflict of interest. When asked by Judge Coleman if he fully understood the risks of sharing legal counsel, Ovidio responded calmly, “I understand, and I have discussed it with Mr. Lichtman.”

With that, the judge granted approval for Lichtman to represent both Ovidio and Joaquín, clearing the way for the next hearing—where "Los Chapitos" will stand side by side in court—to take place on January 7.

Lichtman downplayed any concerns about his dual representation, telling reporters outside the courtroom, “It’s not unusual for one attorney to represent two people involved in the same criminal case.” However, the legal intricacies of representing two defendants in a high-stakes trial have raised eyebrows, especially in a case involving the potential for plea deals or cooperation agreements with U.S. prosecutors.

Is a Cooperation Deal in the Works?

Speculation has been swirling for months about whether the brothers might seek to strike a deal with the U.S. government, potentially providing crucial information about the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations in exchange for lighter sentences. During the hearing, Lichtman hinted that discussions about a potential deal were ongoing but stressed that it was "too early to say" whether a cooperation agreement would materialize.

“If one of them doesn’t appear at the hearing on January 7, it’s because there’s an agreement,” Lichtman told reporters, fueling further conjecture. He also noted that any potential cooperation agreements could be handled separately for each brother, depending on negotiations with the Department of Justice. Yet, when pressed about whether his clients would be willing to implicate other high-ranking figures in the Sinaloa Cartel—particularly Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García, the long-rumored leader of the cartel since "El Chapo's" capture—Lichtman remained tight-lipped, refusing to comment.

Such an agreement would be a major coup for U.S. prosecutors, as it could provide unprecedented insight into the inner workings of the cartel’s leadership. Yet, Lichtman emphasized that if both brothers appear together at their January hearing, it would be a clear indication that they plan to fight the charges and head to trial.

Mexican Media Frenzy Over Prison Transfers

As the legal proceedings move forward, the case has sparked a media frenzy, particularly in Mexico, where the Guzmán family remains a subject of intense public fascination. Reports have repeatedly surfaced suggesting that "Los Chapitos" have been entering and exiting federal custody, fueling rumors that they might already be cooperating with U.S. authorities. Some outlets have even claimed that the brothers may have been secretly released as part of a covert deal with the Department of Justice.

Lichtman was quick to address these rumors, dismissing them as false and criticizing the Mexican media for jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information. “They have always been in jail,” he insisted, explaining that the brothers had been moved between facilities due to overcrowding but had not been released at any point. Ovidio, for instance, was transferred to a different prison on July 23, which coincidentally occurred just two days before his brother Joaquín and El Mayo were extradited to the U.S., further fueling the conspiracy theories.

This intense speculation has been exacerbated by the obsessive scrutiny of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate log, where journalists eagerly search for the names of "Los Chapitos" and other Mexican drug lords. Each time they fail to find the names, whispers of secret deals abound, even though there is little concrete evidence to support these claims.

January 2025: Trial or Cooperation?

As the January 7 hearing approaches, all eyes will be on Chicago’s federal courthouse, where one of the most significant trials in recent history could take place. If no cooperation deal is reached, the brothers will likely go to trial, where the U.S. government will attempt to dismantle their empire piece by piece in the courtroom. However, the specter of a potential plea agreement continues to loom large, and many wonder if the brothers—facing decades behind bars—will ultimately decide that cutting a deal is in their best interest.

For now, the public is left to speculate. Will "Los Chapitos" go down fighting, or will they cooperate with U.S. authorities and potentially seal the fate of other cartel leaders? January 2025 may hold the answers, and the world will be watching closely as this chapter in the Sinaloa Cartel saga unfolds.