The publication

Who Is ‘El Chapito’? Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar: Role, Charges and Status

What officials and news reports say about Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, known as “El Chapito”. Everything below is attributed to its source. Accusations are allegations, not findings: anyone not convicted is presumed innocent.

At a glance

Name: Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar
Known as: El Chapito
Role, as officials describe it: The State Department says Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar shares leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel and its fentanyl trafficking operations with his brother Jesús Alfredo. [U.S. Department of State · official record]
Link to a criminal group: linked to the Los Chapitos (Sinaloa Cartel) in official U.S. or Mexican records cited below. See the Los Chapitos (Sinaloa Cartel) profile.
On this page: 13 facts from 5 sources (8 from official records). Unverified leads are not shown.

Role, as officials describe it

InSight Crime describes the Chapitos as one of the primary groups responsible for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States. [InSight Crime · news/research]

Accusations and charges

A federal arrest warrant was issued on April 6, 2023 in the Northern District of Illinois charging conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, running a continuing criminal enterprise, and money laundering. [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · official record]
He was named in the April 5, 2023 thirteenth superseding indictment in the Northern District of Illinois charging CCE, importation/manufacture/distribution conspiracies for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, possession of machineguns and destructive devices, and money laundering conspiracy. [U.S. Department of State · official record]
U.S. authorities identify him as facing charges related to fentanyl trafficking and shipping precursor chemicals from China to Mexico. [InSight Crime · news/research]
The April 4, 2023 SDNY indictment charged the Chapitos' leadership with continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to import fentanyl, fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, firearms offenses involving machineguns and destructive devices, and money laundering conspiracy. [U.S. Department of State · official record]

Sanctions and designations

On June 9, 2025 the United States sanctioned Los Chapitos, naming Iván and Jesús Alfredo as its two fugitive leaders; the action was taken under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224. [U.S. Department of State, 2025-06-09 · official record]

Names and aliases

He is one of the four Guzmán brothers collectively known as "Los Chapitos." [U.S. Department of State · official record]

Key events

In July 2026 ICE posted a new wanted poster reading 'Two down and two to go' with Xs over the captured Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán López, renewing the hunt for Iván and Jesús Alfredo. [Fox News · news/research]
InSight Crime reports he is among the DEA's most wanted fugitives and that Ovidio and Joaquín are in U.S. custody while Iván and Jesús Alfredo remain at large. [InSight Crime · news/research]

Other reported details

The State Department offers a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · official record]
As of 2026 he remains at large; ICE lists him as a fugitive who is known to possess firearms and should be considered armed and dangerous. [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · official record]
In April 2023 the State Department offered rewards of up to $10 million each for the three older Chapito brothers and up to $5 million for Joaquín Guzmán López. [Fox News · news/research]

Our coverage

Los Chapitos (Sinaloa Cartel) profile · More “Who is” profiles

Last reviewed: September 30, 2026. If you are named here and believe something is wrong, contact us via our corrections page.