Ovid Guzmán López to Plead Guilty, Flores Brothers’ Testimony Could Be Key to Sentencing
A guilty plea from Ovid Guzmán López, son of “El Chapo” Guzmán and a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel, is expected on July 11, 2025, in Illinois, but the extent of his punishment may hinge on the testimony of former cartel operatives Pedro and Margarito Flores. The Flores brothers, once major drug distributors for the Sinaloa Cartel, have become crucial witnesses for the U.S. government in its efforts to dismantle the organization.
The Rise and Fall of the Flores Brothers
Pedro and Margarito Flores, originally from La Villita, a suburb of southwest Chicago, ascended to become principal distributors of narcotics for the Sinaloa Cartel within the United States between 2005 and 2008. According to reports, the twins managed to traffic up to 2,000 kilograms of cocaine monthly, generating profits as high as $1.8 billion. Their operation began after Pedro Flores was kidnapped in 2003 by a Mexican criminal group demanding a $10 million ransom. Margarito Flores sought assistance from a brother-in-law connected to the Sinaloa Cartel to secure his brother’s release.
Following their release, the Flores brothers made a pivotal decision: to cooperate with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This collaboration involved providing extensive intelligence and, crucially, recording conversations with Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán himself, detailing the trafficking of tons of drugs into Chicago and other U.S. cities.
A Key Role in “El Chapo’s” Downfall
Pedro Flores served as one of 14 key witnesses during the highly publicized “Century Trial” against “El Chapo” Guzmán in the Federal Court of Brooklyn. The trial culminated in a life sentence for Guzmán and the apprehension of at least 50 individuals linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. The twins were sentenced in 2015 to 14 years in prison, having already served nearly 12 years at the time. They were subsequently placed on probation under the witness protection program.
Ovid Guzmán’s Plea and the Importance of Flores Testimony
On July 11, 2025, Ovid Guzmán López, 29, also known as “El Chapito,” is anticipated to enter a guilty plea on federal drug trafficking charges in Illinois. While the plea itself is significant, legal experts believe the testimony and information provided by the Flores brothers will be instrumental in determining the severity of his sentence.
“The contribution of the twin Flores has not been valued enough for the capture of Mexican drug traffickers, although they were part of the Sinaloa cartel,” noted a political analyst at Telemundo Chicago. A criminal lawyer who previously represented individuals impacted by the Flores brothers’ testimony echoed this sentiment, stating that they “are the people who know the most about the criminal group and everything related to their operations, family and distribution networks.”
Cooperation and Potential for Further Revelations
Since his capture in 2023 and subsequent extradition to the United States, Ovid Guzmán and his legal team have reportedly been negotiating a plea agreement with American prosecutors. This agreement would potentially reduce his sentence and offer protection to his family in exchange for detailed information about the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.
Reports suggest that Ovid Guzmán, along with his brother Joaquín Guzmán López, known as “El Güero,” may also be cooperating with U.S. authorities, seeking reduced sentences and relocation with their families under the witness protection program. This potential for broader cooperation raises the possibility of further dismantling the Sinaloa Cartel’s infrastructure and exposing its remaining leadership.
The case of Ovid Guzmán López underscores the enduring impact of the Flores brothers’ decision to cooperate with law enforcement, and their continued relevance in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking. Their inside knowledge remains a critical asset as the U.S. government seeks to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel and bring its leaders to justice.
