One of the sons of notorious drug lord “El Chapo” pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court in Chicago to major drug charges and running the Sinaloa Cartel in his father’s absence.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, admitted to running part of the Sinaloa Cartel, coordinating massive drug shipments, including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into the U.S. and using violence to protect cartel operations, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

His plea is part of a broader federal strategy, “Operation Take Back America,” aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel. 

A truck burns after being set on fire on a street in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Jan. 5, 2023.  (AP Photo/Martin Urista)

Federal officials praised the guilty plea, saying “with each passing day, you are seeing the sunset of the Sinaloa Cartel.” 

“The Chapitos’ latest violence reflects their fading future. Their leaders who remain free are now paranoid, distrusted and desperate,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon wrote. 

The U.S. State Department has issued rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to their arrests and convictions. 

“The guilty plea by Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of ‘El Chapo,’ is a real victory for both the United States and Mexico but also a clear win for the rule of law,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Arizona Ray Rede.  

“So much blood and violence lay with the Guzman family as well as spreading terror and plaguing both sides of the border with deadly drugs and weapons — no more. It’s impossible to measure the amount of work HSI and partner agencies have spent in securing this guilty verdict, but what is clear and evident is that no one is beyond the reach of law enforcement and our nation’s laws. Deliberate and coordinated teamwork resulted in today’s victory.”

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com