WASHINGTON — The United States rolled out a wave of sanctions on Monday against the two elusive sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the infamous leader of the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, who is currently serving a life sentence. Authorities also attached an enticing offer of up to $10 million for information that could lead to their capture or conviction.
The financial sanctions target Archivaldo Ivan Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, who are thought to reside in Mexico. The U.S. Treasury Department’s move comes as part of a broader strategy to curb the influence of the cartel.
Meanwhile, other members of El Chapo’s family face legal troubles as well. Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also his sons, are detained in the U.S. Prosecutors previously indicated in May they would not pursue the death penalty for Joaquin Guzman Lopez if he is found guilty on various charges in Chicago.
Additionally, the U.S. sanctioned a segment of the Sinaloa cartel known as “Chapitos” or “little Chapos.” This group is alleged to be a predominant force in the trafficking of fentanyl to the U.S., and to maintain a network in Mazatlan, Mexico, believed to be involved in extortion, drug trafficking, and money laundering activities.
El Chapo’s criminal enterprise reportedly smuggled massive shipments of cocaine and other narcotics into the U.S. over the span of 25 years. This historical operation ultimately led to his 2019 conviction on numerous conspiracy charges, confining him to spend the rest of his life in a U.S. penitentiary.
In echoing the administration’s stern stance on drug cartels, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department is following a directive to dismantle dangerous drug operations and pursue leaders like El Chapo’s sons.
There was no immediate response from Mexico’s foreign relations office regarding these developments.
Mexican security expert David Saucedo indicated that the U.S. effectively uses financial rewards and protection measures for informants as a method to infiltrate drug trafficking organizations. According to him, as much as 20% of actionable intelligence in major drug cartel cases stems from such incentivization.
“It’s about using money and opportunity to divide these criminal groups,” Saucedo commented. “That’s how the U.S. government has managed to penetrate these organizations.”
This approach, initiated in earnest during the Biden administration, continues under the present policy to combat Mexican drug cartels aggressively.
The Sinaloa Cartel, with its roots stretching back to the 1970s, holds the unenviable status as Mexico’s oldest criminal organization. The cartel’s involvement in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl, linked to widespread overdose fatalities in the U.S. each year, has only intensified scrutiny. Earlier this year, the group was declared as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.