### Guilty Plea of ‘El Chapo’s’ Son in Illinois
A son of the notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, believed to be one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, is expected to plead guilty in a U.S. federal court in Illinois next week. The case is part of an ongoing effort by U.S. prosecutors to dismantle the cartel’s extensive drug trafficking network.
### Background on the Guzmán Family
Several of Guzmán’s sons, often referred to as *Los Chapitos*, have been accused of continuing their father’s operations after his arrest and extradition to the United States. U.S. authorities claim they played central roles in the production and distribution of large amounts of fentanyl and other narcotics across North America.
### Legal Context
The defendant, whose name was not immediately disclosed in court filings, faces multiple charges tied to narcotics trafficking and conspiracy. Prosecutors said the plea agreement would include cooperation with U.S. law enforcement and details on the cartel’s international activities.
### Impact on the Sinaloa Cartel
Analysts suggest the plea could tighten U.S. cases against other cartel figures and further expose internal conflicts between factions within the Sinaloa organization. American officials have consistently identified *Los Chapitos* as primary sources of synthetic drugs fueling the U.S. overdose crisis.
> “This plea marks another step in holding the cartel accountable for flooding our communities with lethal substances,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.
### Outlook
The hearing in Illinois will determine the terms of the plea and sentencing timeline. While Guzmán himself is serving a life sentence in the U.S., his sons remain high-profile targets in Washington’s campaign against transnational crime.
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*Author’s summary: The son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán will plead guilty in Illinois, a key move in U.S. efforts to weaken the Sinaloa Cartel’s influence and drug trade network.*
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The Manila Times on MSN — 2025-11-29