How Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's wife Frida Munoz is linked to his ICE arrest

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by ICE after his citizenship bid was denied due to his wife’s past ties to El Chapo’s Sinaloa Cartel.

Updated on: Jul 4, 2025, 01:35:09 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.'s arrest by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday was linked to his wife, Frida Munoz.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's with wife Frida Munoz ahead of the Jake Paul fight. (Photo: fridamuro/ Instagram) (Instagram)

Chavez Jr entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in 2023, which expired in 2024. He had applied for US citizenship in 2024 through his marriage to Frida Munoz, a US citizen. But that was rejected because Munro “is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a previous relationship with the now-deceased son of infamous cartel leader Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán,” the Department of Homeland Security said in its statement.

"Chavez is also believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization," the statement read.

Chavez’s application for Lawful Permanent Resident status “was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, who is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a prior relationship with the now-deceased son of the infamous cartel leader Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman,” the statement said about Munoz.

Who Is Frida Munoz?

Frida Munoz, 37, was born on July 26, 1987, as per a report by the US Sun. The exact date of her marriage to Julio Ceaser Chavez Jr is not known. They have two children, Julia and Julio Cesar Chavez III.

The couple has been the center of tabloid gossip in boxing over speculations surrounding their separation, starting as early as 2021. They reportedly filed for divorce proceedings shortly before Chavez Jr's tourist visa was to expire in February 2024. Some reports claim that the divorce filing as linked to Chavez Jr's arrest on gun charges in January 2024. As of this writing, it is not known at what stage their divorce proceedings are in.

Also read: Why was Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr arrested by ICE agents? Key details emerge

What Are Her Links To El Chapo's Son?

Before migrating to the United States, Frida Munoz was in a relationship with Edgar Guzman Lopez, the son of Sinaloa drug cartel chief Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The duo has a daughter, Frida Guzman Munoz, born in 2006. Frida Munoz moved to the United States with their daughter after Edgar Guzman was murdered by a rival cartel in 2006.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.