Ovidio Guzmán’s Secret Deal After Guilty Plea

Chicago, USA — Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, has disappeared from the public registry of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons just hours after pleading guilty. Reports indicate he was transferred to a secret location, fueling speculation about a massive cooperation agreement.

A Disappearance with Legal Implications

In a twist reminiscent of a spy novel, Guzmán López, also known as "El Ratón," was removed from the U.S. prison system’s public database. Shortly after admitting guilt to multiple charges of drug trafficking and organized crime in a Chicago court, his inmate registration number (72884-748) now displays the status: "NOT IN BOP CUSTODY," with a release date of July 14, 2025.

Official sources and U.S. media reports confirm this is not a release but a transfer to an undisclosed location. Such a move is standard procedure for high-profile inmates entering witness protection or cooperation programs, suggesting Guzmán López has begun negotiating a far-reaching deal with authorities.

The Guilty Plea: Prelude to a Deal

Last Friday, Guzmán López, clad in an orange prison jumpsuit, pleaded guilty to serious offenses, including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, money laundering, and firearms violations. This admission was the first step in a negotiated agreement arranged by his defense team, led by high-profile attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, who also represented his father.

Analysts note that without cooperation, Guzmán López faced a fate similar to "El Chapo"—life imprisonment in a maximum-security facility. By pleading guilty and offering cooperation, he seeks a significantly reduced sentence.

"Joaquín Guzmán López (his brother) will also plead guilty—he is cooperating too. Both will provide substantial information, but it won’t dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel. The structure is too strong," an anonymous source told media outlets.

What Does Ovidio Know? The Value of His Cooperation

The intelligence Guzmán López possesses is invaluable to U.S. law enforcement. As a leader of the "Los Chapitos" faction, he has firsthand knowledge of:

• Fentanyl Supply Chains: Details on precursor chemical shipments from Asia, clandestine labs in Sinaloa (reportedly producing up to 2,267 kg of methamphetamine monthly), and U.S. distribution networks.
• Financial Structures: Names of shell companies, money laundering methods, and cryptocurrency operations moving billions of dollars.
• Corruption Networks: Potentially the most damaging—identifying officials, politicians, and business figures in Mexico and abroad who aided the cartel.
• Internal Power Struggles: Insights into the Sinaloa Cartel’s dynamics, including tensions with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada’s faction.

The Family Factor: Protection in Exchange for Secrets?

Adding intrigue, reports indicate at least 17 of Guzmán López’s relatives—including his mother, Griselda López—crossed into the U.S. under FBI protection, carrying significant cash sums. This suggests his cooperation deal may include family entry into the U.S. witness protection program, a powerful incentive for full disclosure.

Guzmán López’s disappearance marks not an end but a new chapter—one that could reshape Mexico’s drug trafficking landscape. The information he provides in coming months may trigger arrests and dismantle networks, though experts caution the Sinaloa Cartel’s resilience should not be underestimated.