Reports indicate that Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the imprisoned leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, has fled from Mexico to the United States for his safety amid cartel conflicts.
U.S. officials have yet to confirm claims regarding Guzman’s ex-wife, Griselda Lopez. However, she and her family reportedly arrived in the U.S., where she posted on X discussing earlier rumors that at least 16 members of her family had been handed to customs and border protection authorities at the San Isidro port after entering the country.
Griselda López Pérez, born on August 19, 1959, is also known as Karla Pérez Rojo. She was El Chapo’s second wife and is the mother of four children: Joaquin, Edgar, Ovidio, and Griselda Guadalupe.
Griselda is the mother of Ovidio Guzman, who is currently in U.S. custody and has pleaded guilty to federal charges. It’s believed that he may be cooperating with U.S. authorities, providing information, and there are speculations that a deal could involve moving his immediate family into protective custody. Some view her seeking refuge in the U.S. as a sign that the Chapitos are on the losing side of a battle with Los Miletos.
“First, we must emphasize that Ovidio was arrested entirely due to an operation by the Mexican military,” stated Omar Garcia Haufuchu, the Mexican Secretary of Defense, in an interview with Ciro Gomez Leyva on Formula En Vivo.
“As we’ve seen in the news, Ovidio is engaging in talks with the U.S. Department of Justice, which implies that his family left for a reason—this negotiation seems to be an opportunity they were afforded,” he added.
Harfuch continued:
Moreover, keep in mind that this conflict in Sinaloa doesn’t just involve Ovidio but also his brother, who has pointed out various other criminal groups. What we are witnessing is an agreement between Ovidio Guzman and the United States. The families that left were not pursued by Mexican law enforcement. The U.S. Department of Justice is obliged to share information with the Mexican Attorney General’s Office. It was indeed the Mexican army that apprehended Ovidio. Given this context, there’s nothing that prevents a Mexican citizen—who hasn’t been detained—from traveling to the U.S.
While current official records in Mexico do not link her directly to organized crime, she is listed by OFAC, indicating a differing view by the U.S. government.
In September 2012, the Treasury Department included her among foreign drug trafficking leaders under the Kingpin Act, labeling her as a significant supporter of the Sinaloa Cartel. Reports suggest she aided El Chapo in evading justice.
When federal agents captured Ovidio in Culiacan, witnesses noted that Griselda had covered funeral expenses for cartel gunmen killed during the encounter. “It was brought to light that Griselda Lopez coordinated with the funeral home, managing all costs for those involved in the clash with federal forces,” reported El Sol de Sinaroa.
In contrast to Alejandrina Salazar Hernandez, the first wife of El Chapo and mother to Ivan and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, reports suggest that Guzman devoted more time to Griselda and her children, who were seen as his closest kin.
Dámaso López Serrano, known as “El Mini Lic,” noted friction between Ivan and Jesus Alfredo and Griselda, hinting at internal strife that could influence leadership within the Chapitos’ faction, currently led by the two brothers.
Griselda faced arrest in May 2010 during a coordinated operation involving the Mexican Navy, Army, and other federal agencies aimed at El Chapo. She was reportedly apprehended and processed but released within 24 hours. Although she hasn’t been formally charged, she has remained under surveillance and subject to financial restrictions.
Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence reports have designated her as an essential figure in the management of Sinaloa’s cartel resources and its shadow businesses.
Over the years, Griselda Lopez has been characterized as a nurturing figure who sought to shield her children from violence. After the brutal murder of her son Edgar at a shopping center in 2008, she attempted to send her remaining two sons, Ovidio and Joaquin, to Canada.
Recently, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that he was unaware of Ovidio’s family being relocated out of the country by the U.S. government.
