Family of El Chapo Crosses Border Amid Ongoing Drug Investigations

Tijuana, Mexico — A group of 17 family members of Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán crossed the San Ysidro border checkpoint into the United States on May 9. Among them is Griselda López Pérez, El Chapo’s ex-wife and the mother of Ovidio Guzmán, who is currently in U.S. custody.

According to journalist Luis Chaparro and confirmed by media outlets like El Universal, the family members were met by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service. Mexican authorities have not provided any information regarding the situation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that U.S. authorities should clarify whether any arrests were made.

The group reportedly crossed on foot, each carrying at least two suitcases and collectively holding about $70,000. Griselda López, known for her ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and her son Joaquín Guzmán López, who is also imprisoned in Chicago, has been implicated in drug trafficking activities and evasion of law enforcement.

This event follows the extradition of Ovidio Guzmán in September 2023 and the voluntary surrender of his brother Joaquín Guzmán López in July 2024. Both face charges related to drug trafficking and are believed to be negotiating plea deals with U.S. authorities.

The arrival of El Chapo’s family comes against the backdrop of ongoing discussions of cooperation between the Mexican drug lord’s children and U.S. law enforcement.