The United States has announced sanctions against two high-ranking members of the Cártel del Noreste (CDN), Miguel Ángel de Anda Ledezma and Ricardo González Sauceda. This Mexico-based cartel, previously known as Los Zetas, is involved in various criminal activities including drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and migrant smuggling.
The CDN is recognized as a violent transnational cartel and has been designated by the U.S. as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The sanctioned individuals have been identified as contributors to the cartel's drug trafficking operations, arms trafficking, and acts of violence.
Cártel del Noreste employs violence to maintain its control over criminal activities and to intimidate communities near the border between Mexico and the United States. A notable incident occurred in March 2022 when CDN attacked the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo with gunfire and grenades following the arrest of one of its members wanted for homicide and extortion in Mexico.
"The United States remains committed to protecting our nation by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and degrading the ability of cartels to arm themselves," stated an official source. "Today’s action further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting our local communities and the safety of the American people."
These sanctions were executed under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224, as amended. They follow recent designations of CDN as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). More details on these designations can be found in Treasury's press release.
