President Donald Trump is keeping his promise to bring justice to narco-terrorists and protect Americans from their deadly products. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned three high-ranking members and one prominent associate of the Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste (CDN), formerly known as Los Zetas.

CDN, one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, is a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization that exerts influence over the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically the Laredo, Texas point of entry. CDN’s influence in the Mexican border cities of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, has affected communities on both sides of the border, and the cartel’s role in fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling into the United States puts American lives at risk.

The individuals being designated play key roles in aiding CDN’s horrific crimes, including assassinations, beheadings, drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.

“Under President Trump, the Treasury Department will continue to be relentless in its effort to put America First by targeting terrorist drug cartels. These cartels poison Americans with fentanyl and conduct human smuggling operations along our southwest border,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

This is Treasury’s second action targeting CDN’s leadership and affiliates in the last three months. On May 21 OFAC designated two high-ranking members and arms traffickers of CDN, Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma and Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda.

Cartel del Noreste is a violent terrorist organization primarily based in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. For decades, it has been involved in the trafficking of narcotics and other illicit drugs, including fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. CDN is also involved in human trafficking, extortion, arms trafficking, and kidnapping for ransom.

Abdon Federico Rodriguez Garcia is the second-in-command of CDN. Rodriguez, also known as “Cucho,” is involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, fuel theft, and extortion on behalf of the organization. Rodriguez is also responsible for ordering executions on behalf of CDN.

Francisco Daniel Esqueda Nieto, more commonly known as Franky Esqueda, took over CDN’s tactical operations in Nuevo Laredo after the 2025 arrest of CDN leader Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda.

“Treasury,” said Secretary Bessent, “in close coordination with our law enforcement partners, is committed to a full-frontal assault on the cartels, targeting the leadership and revenue streams that enable their horrific crimes.” [VOA/VS]

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