Trump administration offers $25 million reward for California-born leader of Mexico's most powerful cartel
The State Department on Wednesday offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, or "Pelón," scaling up pressure on a U.S. citizen who has emerged as the figurehead of Mexico's most powerful cartel.
TL;DR
- The U.S. State Department has offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, also known as 'Pelón'.
- González is a U.S. citizen and the reported figurehead of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
- The reward was increased from $5 million as part of a larger U.S. effort to cripple the CJNG.
- The Trump administration previously offered $102 million in rewards for CJNG leaders and imposed visa restrictions.
- CJNG is designated as a foreign terrorist organization and is considered the largest cartel in Mexico.
- González is the stepson of former CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes ('El Mencho'), who was reportedly killed in February.
- Additional rewards are offered for other CJNG members, ranging from $2 million to $15 million.
- Recent actions include sanctions on 50 individuals and companies linked to the cartel and a new bank alert targeting its operations.