Background on Key Figures and the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)
The United States Government announced new sanctions on Wednesday against five leaders of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), including its head, Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’. The CJNG is described by the Treasury Department as a “brutally violent cartel” responsible for a significant portion of fentanyl and other drugs reaching the United States. The cartel employs assassination as a tactic to intimidate rivals, according to U.S. authorities.
The Treasury holds the CJNG accountable for numerous crimes, including kidnappings, torture, bomb attacks, and the execution of civilians, Mexican politicians, military personnel, and law enforcement officers. The cartel’s relentless ambition to expand its operations has led it to commit such heinous acts.
Key Leaders Targeted by the Sanctions
- ‘El Mencho’: The CJNG leader, with a U.S. reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.
- ‘El Chorro’ (Julio Castillo Rodríguez): ‘El Mencho’s’ son-in-law and presumed successor.
- ‘El Sapo’ (Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán): Responsible for the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán, used as a training camp where human remains were recently discovered.
- ‘El Jardinero’ (Audias Flores Silva): One of the main orchestrators of large-scale CJNG operations.
- ‘Doble R’ (Ricardo Ruiz Velasco): Recently accused of murdering his alleged girlfriend, influencer Valeria Márquez, during a live TikTok stream.
New Sanctions and the Murder of Influencer Valeria Márquez
The new sanctions also address the alleged murder of Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old TikTok influencer. She was killed in May at the beauty salon where she worked in Zapopan by a man who entered and shot her during a live stream. The fiscal of Jalisco state reported that the perpetrator was motivated by her gender.
The U.S. Treasury highlighted the prevalence of femicide in Mexico, stating that such crimes often go unpunished and affect a significant portion of women in the country.
Details of the Sanctions
The sanctions, issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target ‘El Mencho’, ‘El Chorro’, ‘El Sapo’, ‘El Jardinero’, and ‘Doble R’. These measures include freezing all their U.S.-based assets and prohibiting any economic or commercial transactions involving these individuals.
These actions aim to curb the CJNG’s criminal activities, including drug trafficking that generates billions in profits from fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the new sanctions targeting? Five leaders of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), including ‘El Mencho’, ‘El Chorro’, ‘El Sapo’, ‘El Jardinero’, and ‘Doble R’.
- Why were these sanctions imposed? Due to the CJNG’s involvement in brutal crimes, including drug trafficking and violent acts against civilians, politicians, military personnel, and law enforcement officers.
- What is the significance of Valeria Márquez’s murder? Her alleged killer targeted her because of her gender, highlighting the prevalence of femicide in Mexico. This case is part of the rationale for imposing sanctions on CJNG leaders.
