You could earn $10 million by helping catch El Chapo’s elusive sons—Here’s what you need to know
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If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play a real-life detective—and possibly walk away with a life-changing $10 million reward—now’s your chance, but tread with caution.
The US government is offering a staggering bounty for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two of the most wanted men in the world: the fugitive sons of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
But who are these men, why are they so dangerous, and what does this mean for the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis? Let’s dig into the story that’s making international headlines—and could put you in the middle of a global manhunt.
Meet the “Chapitos”: The Next Generation of the Sinaloa Cartel
After El Chapo’s dramatic capture, extradition, and 2019 conviction in the US, many thought the Sinaloa Cartel would crumble.
Instead, his sons—Archivaldo Iván Guzmán Salazar and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, known collectively as “Los Chapitos”—stepped into the power vacuum.
According to US authorities, these brothers didn’t just keep the family business running; they supercharged it, rebuilding their father’s international drug empire and expanding its reach.
But their methods, prosecutors allege, are even more brutal than their father’s.
Reports from the US Treasury Department and Department of Justice paint a chilling picture: rivals tortured by waterboarding and electrocution, and in some cases, victims fed alive to tigers kept as cartel pets. It’s the stuff of nightmares—and it’s happening just across the border.
Fentanyl: The Deadliest Weapon in Their Arsenal
While the Sinaloa Cartel has trafficked everything from cocaine to meth, it’s fentanyl that’s become their most lucrative—and deadly—product.
The US government says Los Chapitos are at the forefront of flooding American streets with this synthetic opioid, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin.
Their labs churn out counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, fueling an epidemic that claims tens of thousands of American lives each year.
Also read: Are you at risk? Cough warning expands to 3 states—Here’s what you need to know
The impact is staggering: according to the CDC, over 70,000 Americans died from synthetic opioid overdoses in 2022 alone, with fentanyl being the primary culprit. The Sinaloa Cartel’s role in this crisis has made them a top target for US law enforcement.
A $10 Million Reward—and a Warning
In June, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions against the Guzmán Salazar brothers and their faction, Los Chapitos.
But the headline-grabber is the $10 million reward for information leading to their arrest or conviction. It’s one of the largest bounties ever offered for drug traffickers, underscoring just how high the stakes are.
But before you start dusting off your trench coat and magnifying glass, a word of caution: these men are considered armed and extremely dangerous. The government urges anyone with information to call 911 and not to approach them under any circumstances.
Source: Business Insider / Youtube.
The Cartel’s Reach: Violence, Corruption, and Tragedy
The Sinaloa Cartel’s violence isn’t limited to rival gangs.
In October 2024, gunmen linked to the cartel were involved in the killing of former US Marine Nicholas Quets in Sonora, Mexico—a stark reminder that the cartel’s reach extends far beyond drug trafficking.
The cartel’s security forces, according to former US Attorney General Merrick Garland, “often torture and kill their victims,” with some being fed to tigers as a gruesome warning to others. These acts are detailed in a 65-page federal indictment, highlighting the extreme measures Los Chapitos will take to maintain their grip on power.
What About El Chapo’s Other Sons?
Not all of El Chapo’s children are on the run. Two of his other sons, Joaquín Guzmán López and Ovidio Guzmán López (nicknamed “El Ratón”), are currently incarcerated in the US.
Also read: Is your credit card at risk? Here’s what you need to know about DOGE cutting 600,000+ accounts
Ovidio, in particular, has a dramatic history: first arrested in Mexico in 2019, he was released after cartel gunmen unleashed chaos in Culiacán, only to be recaptured in 2023 in an operation that left 30 dead.
He now faces federal charges in the US related to fentanyl trafficking and is expected to appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, several relatives of El Chapo have reportedly entered the US, possibly as part of negotiations over Ovidio’s case—a reminder that the cartel’s influence and connections run deep.
The Bigger Picture: America’s War on Cartels
The US government’s aggressive stance against Los Chapitos is part of a broader effort to combat the fentanyl crisis and dismantle the cartels fueling it.
As US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent put it, “We are executing on President Trump’s mandate to completely eliminate drug cartels and take on violent leaders like ‘El Chapo’s’ children. Treasury is maximizing all available tools to stop the fentanyl crisis and help save lives.”
Source: KENS 5 / Youtube.
In May, Assistant US Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick, representing the Northern District of Illinois where the case is underway, declined to provide USA TODAY with any details regarding the involvement of family members or the conditions of Guzmán López's plea deal.
Around the same time, Guzmán López’s attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, told Reuters, “We have no completed agreement yet but hope to in the future.”
What Should You Do?
If you have any information about the whereabouts of Iván or Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, the US government wants to hear from you. Call 911—do not attempt to approach or apprehend them yourself. The reward is real, but so is the danger.
Read next: DOGE granted access to SSA records—how the Supreme Court ruling affects your privacy
Have you or someone you know been affected by the fentanyl crisis? What do you think about the US government’s approach to fighting the cartels? We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below!
The US government is offering a staggering bounty for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two of the most wanted men in the world: the fugitive sons of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
But who are these men, why are they so dangerous, and what does this mean for the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis? Let’s dig into the story that’s making international headlines—and could put you in the middle of a global manhunt.
Meet the “Chapitos”: The Next Generation of the Sinaloa Cartel
After El Chapo’s dramatic capture, extradition, and 2019 conviction in the US, many thought the Sinaloa Cartel would crumble.
Instead, his sons—Archivaldo Iván Guzmán Salazar and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, known collectively as “Los Chapitos”—stepped into the power vacuum.
According to US authorities, these brothers didn’t just keep the family business running; they supercharged it, rebuilding their father’s international drug empire and expanding its reach.
But their methods, prosecutors allege, are even more brutal than their father’s.
The US Government is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of El Chapo’s fugitive sons, Ivan and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, who are accused of brutal crimes and running a powerful faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Image source: KENS 5 / Youtube.
Reports from the US Treasury Department and Department of Justice paint a chilling picture: rivals tortured by waterboarding and electrocution, and in some cases, victims fed alive to tigers kept as cartel pets. It’s the stuff of nightmares—and it’s happening just across the border.
Fentanyl: The Deadliest Weapon in Their Arsenal
While the Sinaloa Cartel has trafficked everything from cocaine to meth, it’s fentanyl that’s become their most lucrative—and deadly—product.
The US government says Los Chapitos are at the forefront of flooding American streets with this synthetic opioid, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin.
Their labs churn out counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, fueling an epidemic that claims tens of thousands of American lives each year.
Also read: Are you at risk? Cough warning expands to 3 states—Here’s what you need to know
The impact is staggering: according to the CDC, over 70,000 Americans died from synthetic opioid overdoses in 2022 alone, with fentanyl being the primary culprit. The Sinaloa Cartel’s role in this crisis has made them a top target for US law enforcement.
A $10 Million Reward—and a Warning
In June, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions against the Guzmán Salazar brothers and their faction, Los Chapitos.
But the headline-grabber is the $10 million reward for information leading to their arrest or conviction. It’s one of the largest bounties ever offered for drug traffickers, underscoring just how high the stakes are.
But before you start dusting off your trench coat and magnifying glass, a word of caution: these men are considered armed and extremely dangerous. The government urges anyone with information to call 911 and not to approach them under any circumstances.
Source: Business Insider / Youtube.
The Cartel’s Reach: Violence, Corruption, and Tragedy
The Sinaloa Cartel’s violence isn’t limited to rival gangs.
In October 2024, gunmen linked to the cartel were involved in the killing of former US Marine Nicholas Quets in Sonora, Mexico—a stark reminder that the cartel’s reach extends far beyond drug trafficking.
The cartel’s security forces, according to former US Attorney General Merrick Garland, “often torture and kill their victims,” with some being fed to tigers as a gruesome warning to others. These acts are detailed in a 65-page federal indictment, highlighting the extreme measures Los Chapitos will take to maintain their grip on power.
What About El Chapo’s Other Sons?
Not all of El Chapo’s children are on the run. Two of his other sons, Joaquín Guzmán López and Ovidio Guzmán López (nicknamed “El Ratón”), are currently incarcerated in the US.
Also read: Is your credit card at risk? Here’s what you need to know about DOGE cutting 600,000+ accounts
Ovidio, in particular, has a dramatic history: first arrested in Mexico in 2019, he was released after cartel gunmen unleashed chaos in Culiacán, only to be recaptured in 2023 in an operation that left 30 dead.
He now faces federal charges in the US related to fentanyl trafficking and is expected to appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, several relatives of El Chapo have reportedly entered the US, possibly as part of negotiations over Ovidio’s case—a reminder that the cartel’s influence and connections run deep.
The Bigger Picture: America’s War on Cartels
The US government’s aggressive stance against Los Chapitos is part of a broader effort to combat the fentanyl crisis and dismantle the cartels fueling it.
As US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent put it, “We are executing on President Trump’s mandate to completely eliminate drug cartels and take on violent leaders like ‘El Chapo’s’ children. Treasury is maximizing all available tools to stop the fentanyl crisis and help save lives.”
Source: KENS 5 / Youtube.
In May, Assistant US Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick, representing the Northern District of Illinois where the case is underway, declined to provide USA TODAY with any details regarding the involvement of family members or the conditions of Guzmán López's plea deal.
Around the same time, Guzmán López’s attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, told Reuters, “We have no completed agreement yet but hope to in the future.”
What Should You Do?
If you have any information about the whereabouts of Iván or Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, the US government wants to hear from you. Call 911—do not attempt to approach or apprehend them yourself. The reward is real, but so is the danger.
Read next: DOGE granted access to SSA records—how the Supreme Court ruling affects your privacy
Have you or someone you know been affected by the fentanyl crisis? What do you think about the US government’s approach to fighting the cartels? We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below!
