The U.S. State Department reiterated a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of each of the three leaders of the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel operating in Baja California: Alfonso Arzate García (“Aquiles”), René Arzate García (“La Rana”), and Juan José Ponce Félix (“El Ruso”). Combined, the rewards total up to $15 million.
The announcement comes hours after OFAC sanctioned 21 individuals and 25 companies linked to the criminal organization. According to Washington, the three operatives control the Tijuana and Mexicali territories and report to Ismael Zambada Sicairos (“Mayito Flaco”).
State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott stated that Tuesday’s designations “highlight the corrosive reach of the cartel’s influence on Mexican governance, particularly in Baja California.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared that “today’s action underscores that no cartel kingpin, corrupt Mexican government official, or financial facilitator is beyond the reach of Treasury authorities.” He added that “the Trump Administration will identify and dismantle any cartel member who threatens our security or the integrity of our financial system.”
OFAC has carried out more than 30 actions targeting over 400 individuals and entities since the beginning of 2025, in coordination with the National Security Task Force. Today’s investigation was supported by the DEA, the FBI, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the IRS, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the Department of Defense’s Northern Command.
