The United States has imposed sanctions on nine individuals associated with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and the leader of Colombia’s Clan del Golfo drug trafficking organization, according to an announcement by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The Colombian national Jobanis de Jesus Avila Villadiego, known as Chiquito Malo, was among those sanctioned. He is believed to be the current leader of Clan del Golfo, which is responsible for a significant portion of cocaine production and trafficking in Colombia. Avila Villadiego is accused of ordering a murder campaign targeting Colombian security forces after the announcement of the extradition of a former Clan del Golfo leader to the United States.
OFAC also sanctioned nine individuals based in Mexico who are involved in drug trafficking on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel and its Los Chapitos wing. These individuals include alleged fentanyl traffickers and those involved in money laundering and arms purchases.
The United States has been focused on increasing cooperation with Mexico and China to combat the flow of fentanyl and precursor chemicals, which have contributed to a significant rise in overdose deaths in the United States. Sanctions are one of the tools used to target individuals and entities involved in drug trafficking and related activities.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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