A fierce public dispute has emerged between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Jeffrey Lichtman, the New York attorney representing Ovidio Guzmán López, a son of infamous drug kingpin Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán.
This contention has sparked speculation that Guzmán López, who recently pleaded guilty to federal charges related to fentanyl trafficking in Chicago, may expose corrupt Mexican officials as he seeks to cooperate with U.S. prosecutors to lessen his potential life sentence.
On Tuesday, President Sheinbaum announced that she had filed a defamation lawsuit against Lichtman in Mexico.
Lichtman, after the court hearing, called Sheinbaum’s assertions that the U.S. should work with Mexico on the case ‘absurd,’ especially given the expectation that Guzmán López might disclose connections between Mexican officials and drug cartels.
In a provocative post on social media platform X, Lichtman criticized Sheinbaum’s administration, describing it as a ‘corrupt office’ and claiming she operates more as a public relations advocate for drug trafficking organizations than as a leader deserving of the Mexican people’s trust.
The scathing remarks prompted backlash from allies in Sheinbaum’s ruling Morena party, which currently dominates Mexican politics.
Ernestina Godoy Ramos, Sheinbaum’s legal advisor, characterized Lichtman’s statements as ‘grotesque and unforgivable,’ asserting they violate ethical standards expected in the legal profession.
Sheinbaum herself firmly stated, ‘I’m not going to establish a dialogue with a lawyer for [a] narco-trafficker.’
Lichtman, known for also representing El Chapo—who is serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison—has become the legal counsel for both Ovidio Guzmán López and Joaquín Guzmán López, another son of the notorious drug lord.
Experts believe that Guzmán López, who was extradited to the United States in 2023, could reveal significant information about corrupt politicians in Mexico.
His extradition followed a violent shootout near Culiacán, which resulted in numerous casualties, including the deaths of ten Mexican soldiers.
In May, U.S. authorities facilitated the entry of 17 of El Chapo’s family members, including his ex-wife, into San Diego from Tijuana, pointing to a potential cooperation arrangement between Guzmán López and U.S. officials.
Former intelligence chief Guillermo Valdés Castellanos suggested that Guzmán López’s willingness to cooperate is part of a strategy designed to compel the Mexican government to act against its ties to organized crime, particularly under the umbrella of the Trump administration’s policies.
President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the relationship between the Mexican government and organized crime, even going so far as to implement tariffs on Mexico in efforts he claims are aimed at curbing fentanyl trafficking.
While many view Trump’s statements as exaggerated, the connection between narco-traffickers and political corruption in Mexico has historical roots dating back decades.
Notably, Genaro García Luna, a former security chief under President Felipe Calderón, was recently convicted for accepting substantial bribes from Sinaloa cartel members.
Sheinbaum and her political mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, celebrated García Luna’s prosecution, which highlighted corruption among their political opponents.
Nevertheless, the focus may now shift to the ruling Morena party and its alleged ties to organized crime, as speculation grows over which politicians may be implicated if Guzmán López shares information with U.S. authorities.
This scenario raises the possibility of fresh accusations against López Obrador himself, who has faced long-standing allegations of receiving political contributions from organized crime figures during his administration.
The stakes are high, as even hints of new allegations emerging from U.S. prosecutors could trigger a seismic shift in Mexican politics.
In the words of journalist José Luis Montenegro, ‘There is total uncertainty and fear in the presidency.’
Mexican politicians affiliated with Morena are particularly anxious, as the repercussions of such revelations could be profound.
Despite her generally praised approach to Trump’s administration regarding issues like immigration and tariffs, Sheinbaum has harshly criticized U.S. prosecutors’ dealings with Guzmán López.
She accused U.S. authorities of hypocrisy, questioning their intention to negotiate with someone associated with terrorist organizations while simultaneously labeling the Sinaloa cartel as such.
In addition to their grievances about Guzmán López’s potential cooperation, Mexican leaders are still reeling from what they label as the U.S.-orchestrated kidnapping of Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, another prominent figure in the Sinaloa cartel.
Zambada, now also in U.S. custody, was reportedly abducted with the assistance of Joaquín Guzmán López, raising suspicions about U.S. involvement in the operation.
The fallout from Zambada’s abduction has already incited a violent conflict within the cartel itself, leading to significant loss of life in Sinaloa.
With three top Sinaloa cartel leaders now in U.S. custody and at least one, Guzmán López, appearing willing to cooperate, Mexico stands on a precipice as the potential unearthing of corruption amidst its politicians looms large.
image source from：latimes
