Search Intensifies for El Chapito Amid Ongoing Violence and Drug Operations

CULIACÁN, Mexico — Authorities are ramping up efforts to capture Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, known as “El Chapito,” a key figure in the Sinaloa drug cartel, amid an escalating wave of violence and organized crime activities in the region.

Guzmán, born August 15, 1983, is the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Following his father’s arrest, Iván Archivaldo quickly emerged as a prominent leader within the Sinaloa cartel, particularly in the faction known as “Los Chapitos,” which operates significant drug trafficking routes.

Despite being labeled a top priority by both the Mexican government and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Guzmán remains at large, evading capture despite multiple efforts by law enforcement. His last confirmed arrest was in February 2005 on charges related to money laundering, for which he was sentenced to five years in prison, but he was released in 2008 due to a lack of evidence.

Recent violent incidents in August 2024 in Culiacán, triggered by rumors of his capture, led to clashes and road blockades, with security forces responding to reports of gunfire and burning vehicles. Government officials later clarified that these operations were not aimed at Guzmán but rather at capturing other cartel members.

In February 2025, a military operation in Culiacán successfully apprehended four associates of “Los Chapitos,” including key figures tied to Guzmán’s security. Reports indicate that during this raid, Guzmán managed to escape through a tunnel, allegedly assisted by a cousin known as “El Gabacho.”

José Reveles, a journalist specializing in organized crime, noted that Guzmán was believed to have fled to Costa Rica shortly after the military action, drawing parallels to the escape of another infamous drug lord, Rafael Caro Quintero. According to an anonymous source from a rival faction within the cartel, Guzmán is currently sheltered in Costa Rica.

The unfolding situation highlights the complexities of cartel operations in Mexico and the challenges faced by law enforcement in dismantling such powerful criminal networks. As searches continue, the Mexican government remains under pressure to ensure public safety and curb the influence of organized crime.