US Targets El Chapo's Sons with Sanctions and $10 Million Bounty
In a significant move against drug trafficking, the US government has imposed sanctions on Archivaldo Iván Guzmán and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, sons of the infamous drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. Both brothers are leading figures in the violent Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, accused of orchestrating fentanyl trafficking into the United States through clandestine laboratories located in Mexico.
Freezing Assets and Intensifying Pressure
The newly announced sanctions freeze all property and financial interests tied to the Guzmán brothers, extending to companies and entities under their direct or indirect control. At the same time, the US State Department has placed a substantial $10 million reward on each brother’s head for information that could lead to their arrest or conviction, underscoring the severity of their criminal activities.
Los Chapitos’ Role in the Fentanyl Crisis
According to authorities, the Los Chapitos faction operates concealed drug production labs in Mexico’s Sinaloa region, and they have established access to precursor chemicals essential for manufacturing fentanyl. Their operations are marked by ruthless violence aimed at solidifying control over this lucrative and deadly drug trade.
A State Department spokesperson highlighted the ongoing commitment to protect American communities, stating, “We will continue to disrupt the financial operations funding violent Mexican cartels and keep illicit drugs off our streets.”
Government’s Broader Efforts Against Cartels
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Los Chapitos as a powerful and hyperviolent faction deeply involved in the fentanyl crisis affecting the United States. The sanctions are part of a broader presidential directive to dismantle drug cartels and bring their leaders to justice using all available tools. President Trump’s administration has consistently stepped up efforts, including previously designating the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.
Legacy of El Chapo and Continuing Battle
Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, once among the world's most notorious drug traffickers, was sentenced in 2019 on multiple conspiracy charges and is now serving a life sentence in a high-security prison in Colorado. His sons continue to wield considerable influence within the cartel, perpetuating the violence and drug exportation that have long destabilized communities on both sides of the border.
The US initiatives targeting the Guzmán brothers reflect ongoing determination to confront and dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks, aiming to curb the fentanyl epidemic that has caused widespread devastation.
