Sheinbaum Questions U.S. Over Alleged Deal with Ovidio Guzmán’s Family

• Sheinbaum Questions Anti-Terrorism Policy After Tijuana Surrender
• Mexico Demands Explanation from the US
• This Follows the U.S. Admission of Ovidio Guzmán’s Family Members

The United States government is under scrutiny for allowing 17 family members of Ovidio Guzmán—alleged drug trafficker and leader of «Los Chapitos»—to enter the country.

This, despite having labeled Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations and maintaining an official policy of not negotiating with terrorists.

As reported by EFE.

The situation puts pressure on the narrative of Donald Trump’s administration, which recently toughened its stance against Mexican drug trafficking by designating several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Sheinbaum Questions Anti-Terrorism Policy After Tijuana Surrender

#Mañaneras | 🇺🇸🧾 U.S. Must Explain Dealings with Ovidio’s Family: @Claudiashein
Claudia Sheinbaum said the U.S. must officially report on the legal status of Ovidio Guzmán’s family in its territory. She reminded the public that the drug trafficker was extradited… pic.twitter.com/p3nxvl7gps
— Luces del Siglo (@lucesdelsiglo) May 14, 2025

The admission of direct relatives of an alleged cartel leader raises questions about the consistency of that policy and opens a new diplomatic front with Mexico.

In her morning press conference, Sheinbaum demanded formal explanations from Washington:
“If there’s a policy of not negotiating with terrorists, then they must explain whether there was an agreement with Ovidio Guzmán’s family or not.”

She also stated that not only the American public, but also Mexico deserves to be informed, since those involved are Mexican citizens.

The president was responding to comments by Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who confirmed that 17 relatives of Guzmán—including his mother, Griselda López Pérez—voluntarily crossed into the US on May 9 via the Tijuana border.

Key Details to Consider

The U.S. government must clarify the case of Ovidio Guzmán and his relatives who surrendered at the border: President Claudia Sheinbaum.
pic.twitter.com/2kzroqvtnm
— JorgeArmandoRocha (@JorgeArmandoR_) May 14, 2025

Several of them are reportedly under investigation for drug trafficking offenses.

This episode follows the extradition of Ovidio Guzmán in September 2023 and his brother Joaquín Guzmán López in July 2024—both detained for drug trafficking and currently facing legal proceedings in the US.

Sheinbaum also warned against the possibility of the US using the “terrorism” label as a pretext for intervention in Mexico. She reiterated the need to respect national sovereignty and to establish clear rules in bilateral relations.

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