Trump administration offers $25M for US citizen said to lead Mexico’s most powerful cartel

The U.S. Department of State has intensified its efforts against Mexico's most powerful cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), by raising the reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, better known as "Pelón." This figurehead of the organization has been dubbed the successor to the late leader, Nemesio Oseguera, also known as "El Mencho," who was killed in February 2026.

The initial reward for information was $5 million, but it has been increased to $25 million. This aggressive stance is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to cripple the cartel's leadership. The $100 million in rewards offered by the administration targets various CJNG leaders and restricts visas for their family members and business associates.

This move comes in the wake of the group's significant blow in February when "El Mencho" was killed by Mexican military forces. Gonzalez, who is a dual U.S. and Mexican citizen, is believed to have taken control of the organization, which is involved in various illicit activities, including drug smuggling and avocado production.

The CJNG is designated as a foreign terrorist organization alongside eight other Mexican cartels by the U.S. President Donald Trump has prioritized security issues in Latin America, and this move is part of that agenda. The sanctions imposed on 50 individuals and companies linked with the cartel last month have already frozen their assets and blocked U.S. financial transactions with them.