Trump administration launches ‘full-frontal assault’ on deadly border cartel
The Trump Treasury Department’s recent sanctions on two high-ranking members of the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) have been described as a “full-frontal assault” on one of the deadliest southern border cartels by a local border official. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted Mexican nationals Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma and Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda with sanctions, blocking all their property and interests in the United States.
CDN, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Department of State in February, has been known for its violent campaign of intimidation, kidnapping, and terrorism along the southern border. The Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, emphasized the department’s commitment to eliminating cartels to ensure the safety of American communities. The sanctions aim to cut off the cartels’ access to drugs, money, and guns that fuel their criminal activities.
Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce illegal crossings at the border, cartels like CDN remain a significant threat to the safety of American citizens living in border regions. Paul Perez, who leads the National Border Patrol Council chapter in South Texas Rio Grande Valley, highlighted the sophisticated tactics employed by cartels, including the use of drones for their operations. He emphasized that cartels act with impunity in Mexico, often leading to violent gunfights along the border.
Perez noted that CDN engages in grotesque conduct like beheadings and kidnappings and will harm anyone who gets in their way, regardless of nationality. By targeting CDN’s leadership, the Trump administration aims to weaken the cartel by creating internal strife and disrupting its operations. This move is seen as a significant step towards decimating cartel activity in the United States and protecting American citizens from harm.
The sanctions on CDN members signal the administration’s commitment to combating cartel violence and ensuring the safety of border communities. The full-frontal assault on cartels is part of President Trump’s pledge to protect the United States and its citizens from criminal organizations. By taking decisive action against cartels, the administration is working towards a safer and more secure border environment.
