The U.S. government on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 imposed tough sanctions against five top leaders of the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation, CJNG, including its leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, as part of its efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking and punish acts of violence linked to organized crime.
Among those sanctioned is also Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, alias El Doble R, who in addition to being one of the CJNG’s most violent leaders, is the main suspect in the femicide of Mexican influencer Valeria Márquez, which occurred in May during a live broadcast on TikTok that shocked thousands of viewers.
What do the sanctions imply?
The Treasury Department informed that the measures include the total blocking of assets and property that the sanctioned individuals may have in the US.
As well as the prohibition for U.S. citizens to carry out transactions with them.
The sanction is part of the government’s actions against synthetic drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that “the CJNG’s (and El Mencho’s) reign of terror in Mexico and their trafficking of fentanyl into the United States has destroyed countless innocent lives.
The Valeria Márquez case
Buzzy
The murder of Valeria Marquez, 23, happened last month while she was broadcasting live from her business Blossom The Beauty Lounge.
The attack was witnessed by more than 15,000 people on TikTok.
The influencer was allegedly the romantic partner of El Doble R, who is now under investigation for femicide, as confirmed by the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office.
This crime has generated a wave of outrage in Mexico and the Hispanic community in the U.S. due to the brutality of the act and the apparent connection to organized crime.
Other leaders sanctioned
In addition to El Mencho, leader of the CJNG, and El Doble R, they were included in the Treasury blacklist:
Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez(El Chorro), El Mencho’s son-in-law and possible successor.
Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán(El Sapo), accused of directing the mass recruitment of hitmen.
Audias Flores Silva(El Jardinero), alleged to be the operator of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
The measures include the total freezing of assets and property
The State Department is offering up to $15 million for information leading to the capture of El Mencho, and $5 million for information on El Jardinero.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
