US Imposes Sanctions on El Chapo’s Son After Taking Action
The US Treasury Department has taken action against drug traffickers in Mexico, following accusations from the Justice Department that the sons of Joaquin Guzman, known as “El Chapo”, were involved in drug trafficking. The Treasury Department has sanctioned El Chapo’s son Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Mario Esteban Ogazon Sedano, Saul Paez Lopez and Raymundo Uribe Perez. Additionally, Sumilab, a Sinaloa-based chemical and laboratory equipment company linked to drug production, and Urbanizacion, Inmobiliaria y Construccion de Obras, a Sinaloa-based real estate company, have also been sanctioned.
The Treasury Department said in a statement that the sanctions are part of efforts to disrupt the global illicit fentanyl trade, working in close coordination with the Mexican government and US law enforcement. “We will continue to use our authorities to isolate and disrupt the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel at every point,” the statement said.
El Chapo is a former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, which is responsible for a significant portion of drug trafficking into the US. He was extradited to the US in 2017 and convicted on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering in 2019. His sons have been accused of playing a significant role in the cartel’s operations.
The US has been increasing its pressure on Mexican drug cartels in recent years, with the Trump administration designating the cartels as terrorists in 2019. However, some experts have warned that this approach could backfire and lead to further violence in Mexico. Meanwhile, the Mexican government has expressed concerns about violations of its sovereignty by US authorities.
