Background on José Antonio Yépez Ortiz (El Marro)
José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, known as El Marro, is a prominent figure in Mexican organized crime. He was apprehended in 2020 and subsequently sentenced to 60 years in prison for his involvement in fuel theft, or “huachicol,” operations. El Marro was initially held at the maximum-security Altiplano prison in the State of Mexico until 2024, after which he was transferred to the federal prison in Gómez Palacios, Durango.
U.S. Government’s Designation
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, designated the Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL) and its leader, José Antonio Yépez Ortiz (El Marro), as a significant transnational criminal organization. The CSRL primarily generates illicit income through fuel and oil theft in Guanajuato, Mexico.
Conflict with Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)
The rivalry between the CSRL and CJNG over control of fuel and oil in Guanajuato has turned the state into one of Mexico’s deadliest regions. The CSRL’s activities have also facilitated a transborder black market for energy, undermined legitimate U.S. oil and natural gas companies, and deprived the Mexican government of critical revenue.
U.S. Treasury Department’s Actions
Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated that under President Trump’s orders, the Treasury Department is aggressively disconnecting these criminals from the U.S. financial system, regardless of how or where drug cartels generate and launder money.
CSRL’s Operations
The CSRL mainly focuses on fuel and oil theft. In October 2017, El Marro declared war against CJNG for control of fuel and oil theft in the Triángulo de las Bermudas, a group of Guanajuato municipalities housing a Pemex refinery and ducts.
Mexican Authorities’ Actions
In August 2025, Mexican authorities arrested CSRL members and seized 164,000 liters of stolen hydrocarbons along with tanks, tanker trucks, and an illicit device for intercepting ducts.
Alliances and Consequences
To counter the CJNG, El Marro formed alliances with the Cártel del Golfo (CG) and the Cártel de Sinaloa (CS), both designated by the U.S. as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) and Global Terrorists Designated Especially (SDGT).
U.S. Sanctions Against CSRL and El Marro
Based on the modified Executive Order (EO) 13851, the U.S. imposed sanctions on the CSRL and El Marro. This includes blocking all their assets and interests in U.S. properties, whether currently held or controlled by any U.S. person or located in foreign branches.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is José Antonio Yépez Ortiz (El Marro)? El Marro is a key figure in Mexican organized crime, primarily involved in fuel and oil theft operations.
- What is the Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL)? The CSRL is a transnational criminal organization based in Mexico, generating illicit income through fuel and oil theft mainly in Guanajuato.
- Why was El Marro and the CSRL sanctioned by the U.S.? The U.S. designated El Marro and the CSRL as a significant transnational criminal organization due to their involvement in fuel theft and destabilizing activities in Mexico.
- What are the consequences of the U.S. sanctions? The sanctions imposed on El Marro and the CSRL block all their assets and interests in U.S. properties, preventing any transactions or dealings.
