Trump’s secret pact with narco terrorist El Chapo

Against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s increasingly stringent immigration policies, including deporting illegal immigrants to El Salvador and a program offering migrants a $1,000 “self-deportation” stipend, the administration has entered into a deal with a dreaded narco terrorist. The Trump administration secretly arranged for nearly 20 relatives of Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán to enter the United States under an undisclosed agreement with his son, Ovidio Guzmán López.

The secretive pact, which is opposite to what Trump has been showcasing, points towards the start of a disturbing trend where terror fountainheads can manipulate their way into the US.

Trump’s approach to illegal immigrants

The Trump administration has pursued measures to curb migration and has openly advocated deporting illegal immigrants to Salvadoran prisons under bilateral agreements despite legal experts deeming such plans unconstitutional, and sought to deploy the Alien Enemies Act to expel alleged gang members to El Salvador for $6 million to that country’s government.

They also unveiled a $1,000 stipend plus travel aid to encourage migrants to “self‑deport,” a policy denounced by advocates as coercive and legally dubious.

A federal judge has already blocked rapid deportations to third countries absent proper asylum screenings, underlining judicial checks on executive overreach

Entry of narco terrorist El Chapo’s family into the US

During this turmoil, the family members of Cartel kingpin “El Chapo” were granted entry into the United States under a secretive agreement between the Trump administration and El Chapo’s son, Ovidio Guzmán López. The Sinaloa Cartel is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US government, and Trump’s agreement with them has sparked an international controversy around the world.

Ovidio Guzmán López, known as “El Ratón,” was extradited to the US in September 2023 and is currently facing federal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering. His next court appearance is scheduled for July, where he is expected to change his plea to guilty.

The family members, including El Chapo’s ex-wife, Griselda López Pérez, and their daughter, crossed the border from Tijuana into San Diego last week, carrying suitcases and reportedly $70,000 in cash. They were received by US agents, a move confirmed by Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who stated that the crossing was part of a negotiation between Guzmán López and US authorities.

Mexican government’s reaction

The Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed surprise and concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the deal.

Sheinbaum criticized the US for negotiating with individuals associated with a designated terrorist organization, stating, “They have said they do not negotiate with terrorists.” She demanded respect and coordination, emphasizing that unilateral decisions by the Trump administration affect Mexico’s sovereignty.

This development comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Mexico over drug trafficking and border security. While the Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against cartels, including classifying them as terrorist organizations and proposing military action, this secretive deal raises questions about the consistency and transparency of US policy.

As the US continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, largely fueled by fentanyl trafficked by cartels like Sinaloa, the implications of this agreement remain to be seen.

Critics argue that such deals undermine international cooperation and the rule of law, while supporters may view them as pragmatic steps toward dismantling powerful criminal networks.