Exploring Alleged Deal for El Chapo’s Family to Enter U.S. Under Trump Administration

In May 2025, reports surfaced claiming the Trump administration orchestrated a deal allowing 17 family members of El Chapo to enter the U.S. Mexican officials confirmed the crossings occurred, citing a connection to the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán López. However, details remain murky, raising significant concerns among U.S. lawmakers and Mexican authorities.
In mid-May 2025, reports emerged claiming that the Trump administration permitted 17 family members of Mexican drug cartel leaders to enter the United States. According to Mexican Security Chief Omar Hamid García Harfuch, a deal was forged between U.S. authorities and Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, facilitating the entry of these individuals. This revelation caught the attention of major news outlets, including the Associated Press, which highlighted the significance of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexican organized crime—one of the foremost drug trafficking organizations affecting the United States.
As the news was shared across social media platforms such as Facebook and Reddit, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer voiced his discontent. He asserted that this move by the Trump administration sent the wrong message, questioning the motivations behind such a deal. “What kind of message does that send? Who the hell knows?” Schumer stated in a Facebook video, reflecting the confusion and outrage over this potential agreement.
The assertion that family members had crossed the border was bolstered by García Harfuch’s statements, who confirmed these crossings occurred under the impression that the DOJ had orchestrated this arrangement. However, the precise nature of this deal has yet to be substantiated, and verifications from the Trump administration or legal documents remain elusive. Snopes has reached out to the administration for clarification.
Ovidio Guzmán López was arrested in January 2023 and is facing serious drug-related charges in the United States; reports suggest he may plead guilty on July 9, 2025. Amid these developments, an independent journalist, Luis Chaparro, had first reported that the relatives of El Chapo turned themselves in at the San Ysidro border point between Mexico and the U.S., with sources indicating that they arrived with significant cash in hand.
Chaparro’s findings were posted on May 12, 2025, regarding 17 family members surrendering to the FBI, including Griselda López, Ovidio’s mother. His sources suggested that their surrender might be linked to a bargaining chip in the ongoing negotiations involving Ovidio Guzmán and U.S. justice.
A subsequent radio interview on May 13 featured García Harfuch explaining that Ovidio had been detained in a military operation and that negotiations with U.S. officials were evident. The transfer of family members reportedly stemmed from these discussions. García Harfuch clarified that there were no existing warrants for these individuals, suggesting they voluntarily crossed into the U.S., possibly under some form of protective custody, although their current status remains unknown.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum also weighed in on this matter, calling upon the Trump administration for clarification regarding the circumstances under which these family members entered the United States. She pointed out there had been no prior notice given to Mexican authorities about this deal. “We don’t have official or public information that says why this family entered,” she stated, denouncing the lack of transparency in such negotiations, especially since the U.S. proclaimed a policy against engaging with terrorists.
In conclusion, the situation surrounding the alleged deal allowing members of El Chapo’s family into the U.S. raises significant questions about U.S.-Mexico relations and the legal implications of such a move. While the reports indicate a possible arrangement between cartels and the Trump administration, much about the deal and its motivations remains unconfirmed.
In summary, the reported agreement between the Trump administration and Ovidio Guzmán López, which ostensibly allowed 17 family members to cross into the United States, highlights complex layers of international negotiation amidst ongoing law enforcement efforts. While definitive evidence and statements from official sources are still forthcoming, reactions from U.S. lawmakers and Mexican officials indicate widespread uncertainty and concern regarding the implications of such dealings with cartel families.
Original Source: www.yahoo.com