U.S. targets California-born leader of notorious Jalisco cartel
Juan Carlos Gonzalez, also known as "Pelon," is the stepson of "El Mencho" — real name Nemesio Oseguera — who was injured and later died in a military sweep.
The United States on Thursday announced a slew of sanctions targeting more than 50 Mexican individuals and entities allegedly linked to one of the country's largest drug cartels, including a California-born man Washington says is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's new leader.
According to a statement from the Treasury Department, dual U.S.-Mexican national Juan Carlos Gonzalez took control of the cartel (known by its Spanish acronym CJNG ) after the killing of its previous chief "El Mencho" in February.
CJNG is an ultra-violent Mexico-based paramilitary cartel involved in extortion, money laundering and running a global drug trafficking network.
The killing sparked a wave of violence across Mexico, with the cartel setting up highway blockades and setting fire to vehicles and buildings in 20 of the country's 32 states.
More than 70 people died in that violence, including 25 National Guard members .