Introduction
The United States government announced on Tuesday that it is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Juan José Ponce Félix, known as “El Ruso,” a leading enforcer of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Who is Juan José Ponce Félix (“El Ruso”)?
Juan José Ponce Félix, alias “El Ruso,” is the founder and leader of “Los Rusos,” the primary armed wing of La Mayiza, a powerful faction within the Sinaloa Cartel. The Sinaloa Cartel is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S., granting it broader operational capabilities, including potentially lethal attacks.
La Mayiza and its Operations
La Mayiza, under the Sinaloa Cartel’s umbrella, manages the production and trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine from northwestern Mexico into the United States.
Ponce Félix’s Criminal History
Over the past decade, Ponce Félix has faced multiple charges in California’s Central and Southern Districts for crimes including organized crime, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and money laundering.
Sinaloa Cartel’s Continued Operations
Despite the imprisonment of its historical leaders in the U.S., the Sinaloa Cartel, considered the world’s largest drug trafficking organization, continues to operate through new generations and logistical networks on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
U.S. Assistance and Mexico’s Stance
The U.S. has offered military aid to Mexico, but the latter has declined, urging Washington to address drug consumption in the U.S., which is the highest in the world.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Juan José Ponce Félix (“El Ruso”)? El Ruso is a top enforcer and founder of Los Rusos, the armed wing of La Mayiza, a powerful faction within the Sinaloa Cartel.
- What is La Mayiza? La Mayiza is a powerful faction of the Sinaloa Cartel responsible for managing drug production and trafficking from northwestern Mexico into the U.S.
- Why is the U.S. offering a reward for El Ruso’s capture? The U.S. government is offering the reward to gather information leading to El Ruso’s arrest due to his role as a key enforcer for one of the world’s largest drug trafficking organizations.
- What are the Sinaloa Cartel’s continued operations? Despite leadership imprisonment in the U.S., the Sinaloa Cartel maintains operations through new generations and logistical networks on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Why does Mexico reject U.S. military aid? Mexico has declined U.S. military assistance, urging the U.S. to address its high drug consumption rates instead.
