U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Cartel del Noreste Members, Including Hip-Hop Artist El Makabelico
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on four individuals associated with the Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste, including the hip-hop artist El Makabelico. The sanctions target three high-ranking members of the cartel and a prominent associate, Ricardo Hernandez, known as El Makabelico, who allegedly uses his concerts to launder money for the organization. The Treasury revealed that 50 percent of El Makabelico's royalties from streaming platforms go directly to the cartel.
The sanctioned individuals, Abdon Rodriguez, Antonio Romero, and Francisco Esqueda, have been identified as key figures in the cartel's illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. This move follows previous sanctions imposed on two high-ranking members of the cartel in May. The Cartel del Noreste was designated as a global terrorist organization by the Trump administration in February.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the department's commitment to targeting terrorist drug cartels that pose a threat to American citizens. The Cartel del Noreste is known for its violent drug trafficking operations and significant influence along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly in Laredo, Texas. DEL Records, the label listed by Hernandez on social media, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
In conclusion, the U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions on individuals linked to the Cartel del Noreste, including El Makabelico, underscore the government's efforts to combat drug cartels that endanger public safety. The targeted individuals are accused of facilitating illegal activities for the cartel, reinforcing the need for stringent measures to disrupt their operations and protect communities from the harms of organized crime.