Drug trafficking has served as a lucrative source of funds for Los Chapitos, the self-proclaimed sons of the infamous Mexican cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, but their grip on power is maintained through a reign of murder, chaos, and torture. According to a recently disclosed indictment, 28 members of the Sinaloa Cartel, including El Chapo’s sons, Iván, Alfredo, Joaquín, and Ovidio Guzmán López, are accused of orchestrating "the largest, most violent and most prolific fentanyl trafficking operation in the world."
The indictment reveals the extent of the siblings' sadistic violence, describing their Navolato, Sinaloa, ranch as a site where rivals, uncooperative law enforcers, and disloyal cartel members faced brutal interrogations resembling horror movie scenes. These sessions involved torture methods such as waterboarding and electric shocks carried out by the cartel's "ninis," an exceptionally violent group of hitmen trained in urban warfare and sniper proficiency. Once victims provided the desired information, they were deemed useless and disposed of, with some meeting a grisly end as they were fed to tigers kept as pets by Iván and Alfredo.
The Chapitos' ruthless tactics extend beyond their ranch, sending a chilling message of impunity. Through a process referred to as "cleaning," they spread violence to areas they sought to control in the drug trade, kidnapping, torturing, and killing rival traffickers, government officials, and even ordinary citizens. The notorious cartel's coercion tactics, described as "plato o plumo — silver or lead," involve offering locals a choice with little time to decide: cooperate as drug mules for substantial monetary gain or face dire consequences, including harm to themselves and their families.
While the Guzmán brothers face charges of brutality, they are also portrayed as showy and indiscreet, showcasing their flashy criminal lifestyles on social media. In terms of the sibling hierarchy, Iván is considered El Chapo's favored successor, groomed for the drug trade from a young age, while Ovidio is perceived as less successful within the family business. The least known among the siblings is Joaquín, who maintains a lower profile but shares the Guzmán name's influential clout.
The Chapitos' capacity for violence became evident during Ovidio's arrest in January, resulting in 29 deaths as cartel members besieged the city of Culiacán in a show of power. Despite being incarcerated in Mexico and resisting extradition to the US, Ovidio's arrest showcased the formidable influence and audacity of the Chapitos within the world of drug trafficking.
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