Introduction
The United States government has imposed sanctions on three high-ranking members of the Northeast Cartel (CDN) and a musical associate, Mexican rapper Ricardo Hernández Medrano, known as Makabelico, for their involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, and terrorism.
The Sanctioning Agency
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, announced that as part of the sanctions, all assets and interests in the U.S. of the designated individuals have been blocked, and U.S. citizens or entities are prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
CDN Leaders Sanctioned
Abdón Federico Rodríguez García (Cucho): The second-in-command of the CDN, a former Tamaulipas police officer wanted by Mexican authorities with a $25,000 reward for his capture. He is accused of executions, decapitations, and an attack on a Nuevo Laredo official this year.
- Antonio Romero Sánchez (Romeo): The historical leader of the group, also a former Tamaulipas police officer sought by Mexican authorities. He is accused of executions, decapitations, and an attack on a Nuevo Laredo official this year.
- Francisco Daniel Esqueda Nieto (Franky de la Joya): Currently responsible for tactical operations of the CDN in Nuevo Laredo, he is accused of ordering an armed attack against a military helicopter during the arrest of the previous group leader.
Makabelico’s Involvement
The U.S. authorities accuse Makabelico of money laundering for the CDN through his concerts and streaming royalties, with 50% of the earnings allegedly transferred directly to the cartel.
CDN’s Financial Diversification
According to OFAC, the CDN has diversified its funding sources and uses entertainment figures to legitimize income and evade financial controls.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the sanctioned individuals? Three high-ranking members of the Northeast Cartel (CDN) and Mexican rapper Ricardo Hernández Medrano, known as Makabelico.
- What are the charges against them? Drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, and terrorism.
- What actions has the U.S. taken against them? The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has blocked all assets and interests in the U.S. of the designated individuals and prohibited U.S. citizens or entities from conducting transactions with them.
- Who are the CDN leaders and what are their accusations?
- Abdón Federico Rodríguez García (Cucho): Second-in-command of the CDN, accused of executions, decapitations, and an attack on a Nuevo Laredo official this year.
- Antonio Romero Sánchez (Romeo): Historical leader of the group, accused of executions, decapitations, and an attack on a Nuevo Laredo official this year.
- Francisco Daniel Esqueda Nieto (Franky de la Joya): Currently responsible for tactical operations, accused of ordering an armed attack against a military helicopter during the arrest of the previous group leader.
- What is Makabelico’s alleged involvement? Accused of money laundering for the CDN through concerts and streaming royalties, with 50% of earnings allegedly transferred directly to the cartel.
- How does the CDN finance its operations? The cartel has diversified its funding sources and uses entertainment figures to legitimize income and evade financial controls, according to OFAC.
