The U.S. justice system appears to be preparing for the possible capture or surrender of brothers Iván Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzmán Salazar—leaders of the faction known as “Los Chapitos” within the Sinaloa Cartel.
Journalist Arturo Ángel revealed that various judicial, operational, and diplomatic elements have converged in recent weeks, creating an unusual scenario surrounding the case of the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Taken together, these four indicators—rarely seen in high-profile cases—suggest that their capture or surrender may be closer than ever.
In parallel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico have reiterated the standing reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the capture of the Guzmán Salazar brothers.
The first sign is a key procedural move within the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Journalist Arturo Ángel reviewed official documents showing that, on April 6, Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall signed an order placing the indictments against Iván Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzmán Salazar under the jurisdiction of Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman—who is already presiding over the cases of their half-brothers, Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán López.
The second sign lies in a change of status within the judicial system. This also occurred on April 6, when both men ceased to be classified as fugitives—as if they were already in custody or in the process of surrendering. Although the court corrected the record two days later, reverting their status to “fugitive,” the reassignment of their case files remained in effect.
The third sign is that the court has not only streamlined the proceedings but is also keeping the case active and prioritized on Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman’s docket. This ensures that, the moment Iván Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzmán Salazar are apprehended or surrender, they can appear in court without delay.
