The Rise of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar: A Major Force in the Sinaloa Cartel
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the United States has recently announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar , known as *El Chapito* or *Tocallo*. He’s the son of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and is regarded as one of the leaders of the *Chapitos* faction of the Sinaloa Cartel .
The official ICE website’s section for “The Most Wanted” now features a photograph along with the physical description of Guzmán Salazar. Moreover, they provided a national security research number (HSI), allowing citizens to report information anonymously.
ICE warned the public that Iván Archivaldo , hailing from Culiacán, Sinaloa , should be treated as “armed and dangerous” . In a recent statement shared on social media, ICE did not mince words, highlighting the threat posed by him and his brothers, who have taken control of the *El Chapo * faction within the Sinaloa Cartel . The message included a striking observation: “Despite his burning gaze, this thug must be considered armed and dangerous.”
In addition to Iván Archivaldo , ICE has earmarked another $10 million reward for his brother Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar , who is also heavily implicated in drug trafficking activities directed towards the U.S. The list of wanted criminals also features Juan José Farías Álvarez , known as *The Grandfather*, who is cited as a chief of the United Cartels and is accused of multiple homicides and drug trafficking.
This recent campaign is part of a larger initiative by the United States Government , driven by the insistence of Donald Trump , to increase pressure against Mexican drug cartels. In addition to amplifying *financial sanctions *, the U.S. has significantly raised the rewards for information regarding the sons of *El Chapo*, who are seen as responsible for the rampant Fentanyl trafficking contributing to the national overdose crisis.
The opioid crisis in North America has claimed thousands of lives among individuals aged 18 to 49, making synthetic opioids like Fentanyl a significant public health threat. Both Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar , commonly referred to as “Los Chapitos,” have solidified their positions within the Sinaloa cartel by hiring Jeffrey Lichtman , a high-profile attorney specialized in organized crime, to represent them legally in the US.
Hiring Lichtman is viewed as a strategic move , as the lawyer is already representing *Iván Archivaldo*’s brothers, Ovid and Joaquín Guzmán López , as well as their father, *El Chapo* himself. Lichtman’s legal prowess may give the Guzmán brothers a robust defense amidst their ongoing legal troubles in the United States.
Reports indicate that both Guzmán brothers are currently struggling against legal charges in the U.S., which include their alleged leadership and coordination of extensive drug trafficking operations. As the situation develops, the implications of their actions could greatly affect not just the Sinaloa Cartel but also the broader fight against illegal drug trafficking.