Who Is Iván Archivaldo Guzmán?
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a cartel prince trades in his crown for chaos, meet Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar. He’s not just El Chapo’s son — he’s now one of America’s most wanted men, with a $10 million reward on his head. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) says he’s armed, dangerous, and probably not handing out free hugs anytime soon.
The new face of the Sinaloa Cartel
After Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was captured in 2016, his sons — known as “Los Chapitos” — took over his faction of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. Iván stepped into the spotlight alongside his brothers, Ovidio and Joaquín. When Ovidio was arrested in 2023 and Joaquín surrendered to U.S. authorities last year, Iván became the faction’s most powerful figure. Think of it as a deadly game of musical chairs, except the winner gets an empire instead of a seat.
Why is he so dangerous?
The U.S. government calls Los Chapitos one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal organizations. Their specialty? Fentanyl, a synthetic drug that’s cheap to make, easy to smuggle, and devastatingly deadly. Authorities say this group is responsible for massive amounts of fentanyl entering the United States — contributing to an overdose crisis that has killed hundreds of thousands. ICE is warning everyone: don’t approach this guy unless your bucket list includes “dodging bullets.”
How much is he worth?
The Guzmán family fortune is hard to pin down. During El Chapo’s trial in 2019, U.S. authorities estimated his fortune at $12.6 billion — though many called that figure inflated. Even Forbes once listed him as a billionaire back in 2011, estimating around $1.1 billion at the time.
But here’s the twist: synthetic drugs like fentanyl made the cartel even richer than when El Chapo was in charge. While Ovidio Guzmán reportedly earned up to $10 million a year, U.S. prosecutors say that figure could be much higher. In one 24-month stretch alone, cartel operators laundered $24 million in fentanyl profits for Ovidio — and Iván is believed to have made at least as much, if not more.
The $10 million question
So, why is ICE offering a $10 million reward now? Because Iván hasn’t slowed down. He’s reportedly expanded cartel operations, strengthened alliances, and kept fentanyl profits flowing despite crackdowns. U.S. officials want him captured badly. They even dropped a very direct message: “If you have information, call ICE Homeland Security Investigations at 520-335-7315.”
Of course, unless you enjoy explaining to a very angry man why you’re on the phone with ICE, it might be better to leave this to the professionals.
What’s next for Los Chapitos?
With Ovidio pleading guilty and joining witness protection, and Joaquín seeking a lighter sentence, Iván is now the main heir to one of the world’s largest drug fortunes. But leadership in the cartel world doesn’t come with a retirement plan — just bigger targets on your back.
The U.S. has already labelled Los Chapitos a “global terrorist organisation”, signalling that international law enforcement will keep coming after them. Whether Iván ends up behind bars, vanishes underground, or tries to strike a deal like his brothers, one thing’s for sure: the Sinaloa Cartel is far from finished.
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