Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as the "Chapitos," is reportedly "terrified" over the Mexican government's offensive against the criminal organization, which has resulted in the arrest of several leaders throughout the past weeks.
José Luis Montenegro, a specialized journalist, said in a radio interview that Guzmán "no longer sleeps" as a result and es even "betraying those close to him in fear of them betraying him first."
The update follows the arrest of two top cartel officials: "El Güerito," who led the financial area of the operation and was the mastermind of fentanyl trafficking, and "El 200," responsible for security and coordinator of the purchase of weapons and ammo.
Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch announced the arrests this week, saying "El 200" is is linked to murders, extortions and attacks to authorities."
Authorities also recently arrested Mauro Alejandro "N," the pilot that allegedly helped the "Chapitos" transport Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada against his will to the U.S., where he was later arrested. The operation catalyzed a bloody turf war with the other faction of the Sinaloa Cartel which still rages on.
Who Is Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán?
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is believed to have between 12 or 13 children. Two of them, Ovidio Guzmán Lopez and Joaquin Guzmán Lopez, are currently in custody of the United States. They were the most visible of the children involved in the Sinaloa Cartel's businesses.
Following their arrest, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, one of the two sons El Chapo had with María Alejandrina Salazar Hernández, his first wife, rose to prominence. With a $10 million bounty on his head, offered by the DEA, Iván is now regarded as one of the most influential drug traffickers in the world.
Ivan Archivaldo grew up in an environment dominated by the cartel's influence. He and his brothers, Jesús Alfredo, Ovidio, and Joaquín Guzmán López, were constantly exposed to their father's criminal empire. Frequent visits to prisons such as La Palma and Puente Grande, where El Chapo was treated with deference, shaped the young Guzmán's view of power and control.
By 2019, after El Chapo's extradition and conviction in the U.S., Iván and his brothers took over much of the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel. This new generation, unlike the original founders, has adapted to the modern world, focusing on the production and distribution of synthetic drugs like fentanyl—a substance responsible for hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths in the world. Iván's control over these operations has made him a pivotal figure in the cartel.
Iván's first run-in with the law came in 2005, when he was arrested in Zapopan, Jalisco, on money laundering charges. However, due to a lack of evidence, he was released in 2008. That same year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned him under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, also known as the Kingpin Act, for his involvement in drug trafficking.
According to Mexican press, during his time in prison, psychological evaluations portrayed him as anxious, reserved, and evasive. The reports indicated that while he struggled to express emotions, he possessed a sharp intellect, showing logical thinking and critical judgment. However, his impulsive behavior and low frustration tolerance suggested a tendency toward violent outbursts when under stress.
A turning point in Iván's trajectory occurred in 2016 during a celebration for his 33rd birthday at the upscale restaurant La Leche in Puerto Vallarta. Alongside his brother, Jesús Alfredo, and around 20 other people, Iván was kidnapped by a group allied with the Beltrán Leyva Cartel and the Cártel de Caborca. The kidnapping was a targeted attempt to assassinate them, but their lives were spared through the influence of their father.
Upon hearing of his sons' abduction, El Chapo, who was in prison, leveraged his connections to negotiate their release. He threatened to kill Nemesio Oseguera's son, Menchito, the heir to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), if his sons were not returned unharmed. After four days, Iván and his brother were released, marking a significant moment that reaffirmed his role as a key player in the cartel and solidifying his position in the violent and complex world of organized crime.
Since his release, Iván Archivaldo has taken a more prominent role within the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly as a leader of the Chapitos. This faction, driven by a younger and more aggressive generation of drug traffickers, has adapted their operations to focus on the lucrative synthetic drug market. Fentanyl, in particular, has become their primary commodity.
Iván's influence extends to states like Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Baja California, where he has maintained control and engaged in violent turf wars with rivals, including factions loyal to El Mayo Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero's Cártel de Caborca. The internal conflicts within the Sinaloa Cartel have resulted in continuous violence, as Iván and his brothers seek to maintain their dominance.
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