Federal authorities have issued a new wanted poster for two sons of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman-Loera, intensifying efforts to dismantle what remains of one of Mexico’s most notorious criminal organizations.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday that Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are now the subject of an active manhunt. The two men, known collectively as part of “Los Chapitos,” are sons of El Chapo and his first wife, Alejandrina Maria Salazar-Hernandez.
The poster bears the pointed message “Two down and two to go,” indicating that federal authorities have already apprehended two of the four brothers who assumed leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel following their father’s imprisonment. El Chapo is currently serving a life sentence plus thirty years in Colorado’s federal supermax prison, the most secure detention facility in the United States.
This development comes as President Donald Trump has issued stark warnings about the influence of Mexican drug cartels, stating they are “totally running Mexico” and pose a significant threat to American border security.
According to Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitello, the agency has documented a substantial increase in drug seizures along the border. These enhanced interdiction efforts, combined with improved United States military operations against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and strengthened land-based capabilities, appear to be having a measurable impact on the flow of narcotics into American communities.
The increased enforcement has resulted in decreased cocaine supply and corresponding price increases, suggesting that federal efforts are successfully disrupting cartel distribution networks. This economic indicator provides tangible evidence that the multi-pronged approach to combating drug trafficking is yielding results.
The Guzman brothers represent the next generation of cartel leadership, having taken control of significant portions of their father’s criminal enterprise. Their continued freedom poses challenges to both Mexican and American law enforcement, as they maintain operational control over trafficking routes that funnel illegal drugs across the southern border.
The timing of this announcement reflects the administration’s broader strategy of applying pressure to cartel operations through coordinated enforcement actions. By targeting the leadership structure of these organizations, federal authorities aim to create instability within cartel hierarchies and disrupt their ability to conduct business as usual.
The collaboration between Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and military assets demonstrates the comprehensive nature of current anti-cartel operations. These coordinated efforts span from interdiction in Caribbean waters to enhanced border security measures and targeted manhunts for high-value individuals.
As this investigation continues, federal authorities remain committed to dismantling the organizational structure that has allowed Mexican cartels to operate with relative impunity. The capture of the remaining Guzman brothers would represent a significant victory in the ongoing effort to secure the southern border and protect American communities from the devastating impact of drug trafficking.
Related: Young Woman Rescued After Days Trapped in Dallas Ravine
