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🇬🇭 Ghana /Crime & Justice

US offers $25 million bounty for leader of Mexico's most powerful cartel

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The U.S. government has offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, a leader of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
  • This increased reward, up from $5 million, targets González, a dual U.S.-Mexican citizen, and aims to cripple the cartel's leadership following the death of "El Mencho."
  • U.S. officials stated the move, along with new charges, is part of an effort to combat deadly narcotics like fentanyl and curb cartel-related violence in both countries.

The U.S. government has significantly escalated pressure on Mexico's most powerful criminal organization by offering a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, also known as “Pelón.” González, a U.S. citizen, has reportedly emerged as the figurehead of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a designation that has seen increased scrutiny and action from U.S. authorities.

This substantial reward marks a fivefold increase from the $5 million previously offered. The U.S. administration has previously targeted the CJNG, with the Trump administration offering a total of $100 million in rewards for various cartel leaders and imposing visa restrictions on their associates. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the sophisticated and violent nature of these organizations, stating, "These sophisticated organizations use violence and fear to maintain control over the importation of deadly narcotics in the United States, including fentanyl, cocaine, meth, and other illegal drugs. Their actions spread violence and death to our communities."

These sophisticated organizations use violence and fear to maintain control over the importation of deadly narcotics in the United States, including fentanyl, cocaine, meth, and other illegal drugs. Their actions spread violence and death to our communities.

— Todd BlancheActing Attorney General Todd Blanche describing the impact of cartels on both countries.

The intensified efforts come after the cartel suffered a blow in February with the reported death of its former leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, or “El Mencho,” during an operation supported by U.S. intelligence. González, identified as Oseguera Cervantes’s stepson and a dual Mexican and U.S. citizen, is believed to have taken control of the cartel's operations, which span drug smuggling and even avocado production.

The CJNG is considered the largest cartel in Mexico, operating in 21 of the country's 32 states and extending its reach internationally. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration head, Terrance Cole, declared, "This is a fight against CJNG that we are just beginning, and we will not back down." This latest move follows recent U.S. sanctions against 50 individuals and companies linked to the cartel, freezing assets and blocking financial transactions.

This is a fight against CJNG that we are just beginning, and we will not back down.

— Terrance ColeTerrance Cole, head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, stating the U.S. commitment to combating the cartel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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