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Summary
The U.S. government has increased the reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, also known as “Pelón”, the leader of Mexico’s most powerful cartel, to $25 million. The Trump administration has also offered a total of $100 million in rewards for various leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and restricted the visas of family members and business associates of cartel members. The move is part of a larger effort to cripple the organization’s leadership and pressure Mexico to crack down on cartels.
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The numbers tell one story.
The U.S. government is ramping up pressure on Mexico’s most powerful cartel, CJNG, with a $25 million reward for its leader and $100 million in rewards for other leaders. The Trump administration is also restricting visas for family members and business associates of cartel members. The move comes after the killing of CJNG’s previous leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, in February. The cartel is considered the largest in Mexico, with a presence in 21 states and operations in several countries, including the United States.
The U.S. is also imposing sanctions on 50 people and companies linked to the cartel, including González. The sanctions freeze assets and block U.S. financial transactions with those cited. The Trump administration has threatened military action against the cartels if Mexico does not crack down more heavily.
The strategy enters a familiar phase.
The U.S. government is using a combination of rewards, sanctions, and military threats to pressure Mexico to crack down on cartels. This approach has been used before, with mixed results. The outcome remains to be seen.
Author: Evan Null
