The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on Miguel Ángel de Anda Ledezma and Ricardo González Sauceda, two key figures in the Mexico-based Cártel del Noreste (CDN), a violent transnational cartel designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
The CDN is notorious for its involvement in drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, migrant smuggling, and other illicit activities. The two individuals sanctioned today have been linked to Cártel del Noreste's drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and acts of violence. Their actions are part of a broader effort to exert control through violence and intimidate border communities and U.S. citizens.
In March 2022, the CDN attacked the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo with gunfire and grenades after the arrest of a CDN member who was wanted in Mexico for homicide and extortion. This brazen act highlights the cartel's disregard for human life and its willingness to target innocent civilians.
The United States remains committed to protecting its nation by keeping illicit drugs off the streets and degrading the ability of cartels to arm themselves, a critical step toward their elimination. Today's sanctions action further demonstrates the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to safeguarding local communities and the safety of the American people.
The sanctions were imposed pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 and 13224, as amended. This follows recent designations of Cártel del Noreste as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).