OFAC Maintains Focus South of the Border

As part of its intensified focus on border security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today sanctioned two high-ranking members of the Cartel del Noreste (CDN), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and successor to Los Zetas. The cartel is deeply entrenched in narcotics, arms, and human trafficking operations in northeastern Mexico, particularly near the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo corridor.

Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma and Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda were designated under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224 for supporting CDN’s terrorist and criminal activities. De Anda allegedly directed U.S.-based firearms procurement for CDN, while Gonzalez, recently arrested in Mexico, oversaw armed CDN units responsible for violent attacks, including a 2024 ambush on Mexican soldiers.

“These terrorists will be held accountable,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, vowing continued action to dismantle CDN’s operations. The designations were coordinated with DHS, DOJ, and Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit.

[OFAC Notice]