U.S. sanctions Mexican cartel suspects linked to high-profile attacks

SLC Agricola SA

07/04/2021 21:08

MEXICO CITY, April 7 (Reuters) - The United States has
sanctioned two suspected members of the Jalisco New Generation
Cartel (CJNG) accused of helping organize an attack last year on
Mexico City's police chief and the murder of a former governor
of the Jalisco state.
    Carlos Andres Rivera Varela, a dual Mexico-Colombia citizen,
and Mexican national Francisco Javier Gudino Haro are alleged to
be members of a CJNG faction operating out the western beach
resort of Puerto Vallarta.
    On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury alleged that the duo "helped
orchestrate assassinations using high-powered weaponry on behalf
of CJNG", a gang notorious as one of Mexico's most violent.
    In June, suspected CJNG gunmen shot Mexico City's chief of
police Omar Garcia Harfuch and killed two of his bodyguards in a
dramatic assassination attempt that sent shockwaves across
Mexico. The attack, in an upscale neighborhood housing wealthy
businessmen and embassies, was captured on security cameras. 
    In December, suspected CJNG gunmen killed former Jalisco
governor Aristoteles Sandoval in Puerto Vallarta in one of the
most high-profile political assassinations since Mexico embarked
on a military-led crackdown on gangs in 2006.
    Rivera Varela and Gudino Haro were sanctioned because they
provide vital support to the cartel, the Treasury said. 
    "This group conducts violent attacks against rivals and
government officials that ultimately benefit CJNG's territorial
control and drug trafficking activities,' the Treasury added.
    Gudino Haro's Puerto Vallarta-registered company Agricola
Costa Alegre S.P.R. de R.L. was also sanctioned.
    "Treasury will continue working with its partner U.S.
government agencies to disrupt and dismantle this cartel," said
Andrea M. Gacki, Director of  Treasury's Office of Foreign
Assets Control.
    The Treasury also sanctioned Mexican travel agent Alejandro
Chacon Miranda, who owns Dale Tours, a Guadalajara-area travel
agency, for providing support to the cartel.
    Rivera Varela, Gudino Haro and Chacon Miranda could not be
reached for comment.

 (Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by David Gregorio)
 ((drazen.jorgic@tr.com; Reuters Messaging:
drazen.jorgic.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))