US Treasury Sanctions Mexican Cartel Leaders, Rapper El Makabelico

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Mexican rapper Ricardo Hernandez Medrano, known as El Makabelico, and three senior members of the violent Cartel del Noreste for their involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling. El Makabelico is accused of funneling 50% of his streaming royalties and concert revenues to the cartel, which uses these funds to diversify its income beyond traditional criminal activities. The cartel, designated as a foreign terrorist organization by President Trump’s administration, wields significant influence along the U.S.-Mexico border, especially near Laredo, Texas. The sanctions freeze assets in the U.S. and prohibit business interactions with the sanctioned individuals, aiming to disrupt the cartel's operations and financial networks. Del Records, El Makabelico's label, has not responded to requests for comment, while the sanctions follow prior convictions related to cartel-linked concert promoters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the relentless U.S. effort to combat drug cartels that threaten American communities with fentanyl and human trafficking.