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Terrorism

US Sanctions High-Ranking Members of Mexico-Based Cartel del Noreste

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two high-ranking members of the Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste (CDN), formerly known as Los Zetas, on May 21. The sanctions emphasize the commitment to targeting CDN and other violent cartels involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and other crimes that endanger the American people. CDN, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, has significant influence over the border region, particularly near the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo entry point.

Key Takeaways:

  • The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their production, and Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists and their supporters.
  • Cartel del Noreste CDN is a terrorist organization primarily based in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon.
  • The group has been involved in narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, vehicle theft, and oil theft.
  • They have also engaged in terrorist activities to intimidate American citizens and local communities in Mexico, including extortion, kidnapping, and murder.
  • Los Zetas, the predecessor to CDN, was labeled by the United States as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker on April 15, 2009, under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act for its involvement in international narcotics trafficking.
  • CDN was designated as an FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. Department of State on February 20.
  • Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma, a high-ranking member of CDN, oversees the procurement of guns and ammunition for the group, facilitating payments to U.S. straw purchasers and organizing firearm deliveries to Nuevo Laredo.
  • Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda, the former second-in-command of CDN, was arrested in connection with a CDN attack on the Mexican military in August 2024, which killed two soldiers and injured five.
  • Both De Anda and Gonzalez are sanctioned under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by CDN or acting on its behalf.

Statistics:

  • The Cartel del Noreste (CDN) has significant influence over the border region near the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo entry point.
  • CDN has been involved in narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, vehicle theft, and oil theft.
  • The group has also engaged in terrorist activities, including extortion, kidnapping, and murder, to intimidate American citizens and local communities in Mexico.
  • Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma has facilitated payments to U.S. straw purchasers and organized firearm deliveries to Nuevo Laredo.
  • Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda was arrested in connection with a CDN attack on the Mexican military in August 2024, which killed two soldiers and injured five.

Sources:

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control
  • U.S. Department of State
  • Executive Order 14059
  • Executive Order 13224
  • Federal Register

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