Behind Los Chapitos: the women in the lives of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel leaders

The situation in Sinaloa, with winds hinting at an impending war within factions of organized crime, and the recent arrests of El Mayo Zambada and the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera, has sparked significant curiosity about the people surrounding these notorious drug lords. Notably, there is interest about the women in their lives.

Despite considerable secrecy surrounding those close to the most infamous narcos, a few names have surfaced, especially in the case of "Los Chapitos," the group led by El Chapo's sons within the Sinaloa Cartel. While it's estimated that Guzmán Loera has 12 or 13 children, four of them are publicly involved in the drug trafficking business. They are Iván Archivaldo, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, and Joaquín and Ovidio Guzmán López.

While there is little information about Joaquín Guzmán López's personal life, his brothers have been less discrete. This is all that is known about the romantic life of Los Chapitos.

Iván Archivaldo Guzmán

Borderland Beat, a site specialized in security and drug trafficking topics, has identified at least seven women as alleged lovers and partners of Iván Archivaldo, also known as "El Chapito mayor." It is important to note that these reports are unofficial, and no romantic ties have been confirmed. Nevertheless, it is presumed that "El Chapito" has had some relationship with them.

According to the mentioned website, the women presumed to have been involved with Guzmán Salazar include Iris Felix, Citlaly Morgan, Vanessa Gurrola, Priscilla Esquerra, Esmeralda Beltrán, and Jessica Luna. Beyond their names and social media photos, little is known about these individuals, leaving unclear the nature of their connection to the leader of 'Los Chapitos.'

However, reports state that Zulema Aracely Lindoro is Iván Archivaldo's formal partner. Their relationship has only been revealed through social media, as both maintain a low profile. This secrecy leaves unknown details about their relationship, such as how they met and how long they have been together.

Zulema's close ties to the Guzmán family were highlighted in November 2012 when news broke of her arrest in the U.S. due to alleged immigration issues.

Jesús Alfredo Loera Salazar

"El Alfredillo," as the Sinaloa Cartel leader is known, is reportedly in a romantic relationship with Elsa Félix Beltrán.

According to information from Borderland Beat, Elsa is believed to be the daughter of Víctor Manuel Félix, also known as "El Señor," a drug trafficker who was arrested in 2014 and later sentenced to 14 years in prison in the U.S.

Ovidio Guzmán Salazar

El Chapo's third oldest son, Ovidio Guzmán, also known as "El Ratón," has been associated with Adriana Meza Torres, a woman often called "The Queen of the Sinaloa Cartel." Adriana, the daughter of Raúl Meza Ontiveros, a high-ranking cartel member, is said to have a deep connection with Ovidio.

Their relationship has been a topic of fascination and speculation, with sources suggesting that they may be married. Adriana's background, deeply rooted in the cartel's history, makes her a formidable partner for Ovidio, further solidifying the power dynamics within the cartel's hierarchy. Since Ovidio's arrest in 2023, many experts in the drug world are convinced that she may have taken more responsibility in the Cartel.

Jesús Guzmán Salazar

As for Joaquín Guzmán, there are no reports on his partner or private life. He was captured in July of 2024 in the operation that allowed the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García.

In 2018, he and his brother Ovidio were indicted by the Federal Court of the District of Columbia for conspiring to distribute 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, five kilograms of cocaine, and 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Beyond their romantic lives, "Los Chapitos" has been accused by U.S. authorities of being responsible for flooding the streets with fentanyl. This deadly synthetic opioid has caused a public health crisis in the neighboring country.