Relatives of 'El Chapo' Surrender to U.S. Authorities

A group of 17 relatives of infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, including his ex-wife Griselda López Pérez, the mother of Ovidio Guzmán, have voluntarily surrendered to U.S. authorities. This news broke on Monday, December 5, 2025, by the Mexican press. Reports indicate that these family members were met by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service. However, Mexican officials have remained silent on the situation, with President Claudia Sheinbaum suggesting that U.S. authorities should provide information regarding any potential arrests.

These 17 relatives reportedly turned themselves in on Friday, crossing the San Ysidro border on foot, which links the Mexican city of Tijuana and San Diego, USA. Each family member carried at least two suitcases, collectively bringing approximately $70,000 in cash, as per local reports. Griselda López, who is not only El Chapo’s second wife but also the mother to Ovidio Guzmán López, known as ‘El Ratón,’ is under scrutiny for her alleged involvement in drug trafficking and evading law enforcement. Ovidio is tied to the faction ‘Los Chapitos’ of the Sinaloa Cartel and is currently imprisoned in Chicago, USA.

This surrender follows the recent extradition of Ovidio Guzmán in September 2023, and the voluntary surrender of his brother Joaquín Guzmán López in July 2024. Both siblings face drug trafficking charges and are reportedly in talks to negotiate plea deals with U.S. authorities. The surrender of El Chapo’s relatives could have major implications for ongoing investigations into the Sinaloa Cartel and its leadership, particularly within the realm of cooperation negotiations between the capo’s sons and U.S. officials.