Trump administration allows El Chapo's family to enter the US amid negotiations
- Seventeen family members of drug cartel leaders entered the U.S. as part of negotiations involving Ovidio Guzmán López.
- Mexican authorities confirmed the family's entry was not due to active warrants, but was a strategic deal.
- The situation has raised significant political controversy, prompting calls for greater transparency from the U.S. government.
In mid-May 2025, Mexican authorities confirmed that 17 family members of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, a notorious drug cartel leader, crossed into the United States. This entered into the public eye during negotiations reportedly made between his son, Ovidio Guzmán López, and officials from the Trump administration. The family members, which included former wife Griselda López Pérez, allegedly transported a significant amount of cash while awaiting processing at the Tijuana/San Diego border. These actions highlighted a controversial arrangement that raised questions and concerns among lawmakers and advocates against cartel operations. Omid Guzmán López, who is also involved with the Sinaloa Cartel, was himself extradited to the U.S. in 2023 after a series of arrests. His family’s entry appeared to stem from a negotiation process with the U.S. Department of Justice, as noted by Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch. Reports suggest that none of the family members faced any charges or were sought by Mexican authorities, indicating that their crossing was not connected to legal pursuits, but rather, a strategic agreement with U.S. authorities. The situation ignited a political stir, especially from Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, who accused the Trump administration of facilitating the entry of cartel leadership relatives into the U.S. Schumer emphasized the impropriety surrounding the deal, particularly for relatives of an infamous drug trafficker. As public sentiment swirled, it became evident that more transparency from the U.S. government regarding the terms of such deals was necessary to mitigate escalating crime and drug trafficking issues. Calls for clarification heightened when the president of Mexico expressed concerns over the lack of communication regarding the family's entrance. This led to a broader dialogue and investigation about the implications of such negotiations in combating organized crime on both sides of the border. As the situation continues to unfold, many remained skeptical about the potential repercussions and ongoing relationships between the U.S. administration and the Sinaloa Cartel.