The kidnapping of Los Chapitos—which took place at a restaurant in Jalisco in August 2016—remains one of the most discussed episodes in the recent history of organized crime in Mexico.
Years later, in an interview published by *Proceso* magazine in 2023, Dámaso López Serrano—alias “El Mini Lic”—offered his account of how the release of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons was secured. He claimed that the then-leader of the Sinaloa Cartel intervened to negotiate with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
According to the former Sinaloa Cartel member, the goal of the abduction was never to demand money or send a message, but rather to assassinate Iván Archivaldo Guzmán and his brothers.
It should be noted that this account reflects the testimony of Dámaso López Serrano.
How did the kidnapping of Los Chapitos occur?
According to El Mini Lic’s account, on August 15, 2016, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán was celebrating his birthday at the Leche restaurant in Jalisco.
He and his brothers had arrived at the venue with a minimal security detail while awaiting other guests.
At that moment, a group of armed men stormed the establishment and abducted Los Chapitos.
Although the kidnapping lasted only a few hours, the incident caused a major stir due to the situation the Sinaloa Cartel was facing at the time.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was imprisoned and on the verge of extradition to the United States, while internal power struggles were beginning within the organization following Los Chapitos’ decision not to recognize Dámaso López Núñez as the successor.
