Trump Administration Targets Cartel del Noreste Leaders
The Trump administration has sanctioned two high-ranking members of Cartel del Noreste, a group notorious for its violent activities and designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.
The Foreign Assets Control Bureau of the Ministry of Finance approved these sanctions, highlighting the organization’s significant impact on border regions, particularly near Laredo, Texas.
Details on the Sanctioned Individuals
The first individual sanctioned is Miguel Angel de Anda Leggema, who is tasked with overseeing the procurement of weapons for the cartel. The Treasury Department noted that he managed payments to facilitators in the U.S. and coordinated the delivery of firearms to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
There’s a somewhat alarming connection here: one of the firearms linked to the cartel was recovered after they attacked Mexican troops during a patrol in March 2024.
The second sanctioned individual, Ricardo Gonzalez Saucetta, was known as the deputy commander of Cartel del Noreste until he was arrested in February by Mexican authorities. He was already implicated in assaults against Mexican law enforcement and was found with a rifle, a handgun, methamphetamine, and fentanyl pills at the time of his arrest.
Government’s Commitment Against Cartels
Officials emphasized that these new sanctions reflect the administration’s determination to dismantle Cartel del Noreste and combat other violent organizations involved in drug trafficking and human trafficking, which pose significant threats to American safety.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent remarked that the goal of these sanctions is to eliminate the cartel’s influence and hold its leaders accountable for their criminal activities. Cartel del Noreste’s use of threats and violence has created tension for communities across the southern border.
He also noted that their efforts help to obstruct the cartel’s access to drugs, weapons, and financial resources that enable violence.
This initiative has been coordinated with various agencies, including the Homeland Security Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Authorities are also working closely with Mexico’s financial information division.
President Paul Perez of the Border Patrol expressed his support for Trump’s actions, stating that this fulfills the promise made to ensure cartels do not operate with impunity within the U.S. He believes these measures significantly undermine the cartels and send a message to all who threaten American safety.
Trump’s decision to designate the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization marks a notable escalation in the fight against organized crime. Additionally, in April, the Department of Justice charged high-ranking members of Tren de Aragua, using terrorism accusations for the first time against such groups.
