A reported 17 family members of Sinaloa Cartel leaders have crossed into the United States, raising eyebrows over an alleged deal with the Trump administration.
Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed the border crossing during a radio interview this week, as NBC News reports, and the move has sparked questions about what the U.S. government is offering as a deal in exchange.
Last week, these family members, tied to extradited cartel figure Ovidio Guzmán López, crossed from Tijuana into the U.S. Video evidence captured them with suitcases, greeted by U.S. agents at the border. Guzmán López, son of the notorious Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, faces multiple drug trafficking charges in the U.S.
The crossing followed negotiations between Guzmán López and U.S. authorities, according to García Harfuch. Rumors swirled that Guzmán López might plead guilty to avoid a trial. His lawyer had already hinted at talks with the Justice Department in January 2025.
García Harfuch suggested the family’s move was tied to a U.S. offer. “It is evident that his family is going to the U.S. because of a negotiation or an offer that the Department of Justice is giving him,” he said. The exact terms of this deal remain unclear. Notably, Mexican authorities were not pursuing these family members. This lack of action south of the border points to a U.S.-driven arrangement. The Trump administration has yet to share details with Mexican prosecutors, leaving many in the dark.
The Sinaloa Cartel, long a thorn in the side of law enforcement, is under intense U.S. scrutiny. Guzmán López, one of the brothers leading a cartel faction, was extradited in 2023. His family’s crossing adds a new layer to the ongoing saga.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office announced “narcoterrorism” charges against top cartel leaders. This marked a bold escalation, as the Trump administration has designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The charges signal a no-holds-barred approach to dismantling these networks.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, based in the Southern District of California, issued a stark warning to the Sinaloa Cartel. “You are no longer the hunters, you are the hunted,” Gordon declared. His words underscore the administration’s aggressive stance.
Gordon’s warning was direct and chilling. “You will be betrayed by your friends, you will be hounded by your enemies,” he said. He vowed that cartel leaders would face justice in U.S. courtrooms.
The family’s crossing has fueled speculation about the Trump administration’s strategy. By allowing cartel kin into the U.S., the government may be leveraging Guzmán López’s cooperation. Yet the lack of transparency raises concerns about accountability.
Mexican officials, sidelined in the process, have expressed frustration. García Harfuch’s confirmation was the first public acknowledgment of the crossing. The absence of U.S. communication with Mexico suggests a unilateral move.
The timing of the “narcoterrorism” charges adds complexity. Coming on the same day as García Harfuch’s interview, the charges may be part of a broader push. The Trump administration appears to be tightening the screws on the Sinaloa Cartel.
The sight of cartel family members crossing with U.S. agents in tow has stirred debate. For many Americans, it’s a troubling image amid ongoing border security concerns. The deal, while strategic, may not sit well with those demanding tougher immigration policies.
Guzmán López’s potential guilty plea could yield valuable intelligence. Disrupting the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations would be a win for law enforcement. But the optics of welcoming cartel relatives could undermine public trust.
As the Trump administration pursues its hardline stance, the nation watches closely. The fight against cartels is a priority for many working-class Americans battered by the drug crisis. How this deal plays out will test the government’s commitment to justice and sovereignty.
