U.S. Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Mexican Drug Cartel over TikTok Influencer's Murder, Citing Increased Fentanyl Trafficking into the Nation
Let's dive into the latest news about those drug lords causing chaos across the border. The US government slammed sanctions on five heads of the ruthless Mexican drug cartel, CJNG, for their role in numerous killings, including the heinous murder of popular Mexican influencer, Valeria Marquez.
The sanctions were announced, tackling the CJNG, accused by the Trump administration of being behind a substantial proportion of illicit substances, such as fentanyl, flooding into the US. The sanctions, enforced on a Wednesday, were aimed at this bloodthirsty group, known for their excessive use of murder, including the cold-blooded killing of women, intimidating their competitors.
This vicious act brings light to the disturbing issue of femicide, or the murder of women solely based on their gender, which is prevalent and often goes unpunished in Mexico. According to a statement by the Treasury Department, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) is responsible for such tragedies.
Back in February, the Trump administration labeled CJNG as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" and "Specially Designated Global Terrorist." The infamous CJNG is headed by Nemesio Ruben "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, one of the five leaders targeted. The US authorities offer a staggering $15m reward for information leading to his capture.
Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, a commander closely tied to 'El Mencho,' also fell under CJNG's sanctions. The updated information reveals that Ruiz is the prime suspect in the murder of Marquez, Valeria's gruesome death occurring on May 13, 2025, during a live stream on TikTok, in her beauty salon.
Other high-ranking members included in the sanctions are Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez, Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytan, and Audias Flores Silva, as per the Treasury Department's statement.
Now, let's take a closer look at Ruiz's role in all this. He's a prominent leader within the CJNG, indicating his significant control over the cartel's operations. His alleged involvement in Marquez's murder while she was live-streaming hints at the horrific connection between cartel activities and targeted killings.
The sanctions on CJNG leaders, including Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, the prime suspect in Valeria Marquez's murder, highlight the intersection of politics and crime, as the group is accused of contributing to war-and-conflicts through drug trafficking and violence. In the realm of general-news, the murder of Marquez serves as a chilling example of crime-and-justice issues escalating in Mexico, particularly concerning femicide.
