The U.S. State Department on Wednesday offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos González, a U.S. citizen who has emerged as the figurehead of Mexico's most powerful cartel, according to infohub.kz.
The reward was increased from $5 million. The Trump administration offered a total of $100 million in rewards for various leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and restricted visas of family members and business associates of cartel members.
The State Department said the measures are aimed at "crippling the organization's leadership," while President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Mexico and other Latin American nations to carry out his security agenda.
CJNG is among eight Mexican cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations. In February, the group's leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," was killed by the Mexican military. The U.S. provided intelligence for the operation, which led to a surge in violence in the state of Jalisco.
González, Oseguera Cervantes's stepson and a dual Mexican and U.S. citizen, is reported to have taken control of the cartel, which is involved in everything from avocado production to drug smuggling.
Wednesday's move comes a few weeks after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on 50 people and companies linked to the cartel, including González. The sanctions froze assets and blocked U.S. financial transactions with those cited.
The cartel is considered the largest in Mexico, with a presence in 21 of its 32 states. Its operations have extended to several countries, including the United States.
The Trump administration has increased pressure on the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to crack down more heavily on cartels, even threatening military action against the groups.