The U.S. Department of State announced today reward offers totaling up to $102 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of eight leaders and associates of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
The actions, managed by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, are being taken in coordination with the Department of Justice, DEA, FBI, HSI, IRS, CBP, and the National Coordination Center.
The highest reward offer is up to $25 million for Juan Carlos Valencia González, also known as “Pelón,” identified as the new leader of CJNG following the recent death of founder Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”
This marks an increase from a previous offer of $5 million.
The State Department also increased the reward for Audias Flores Silva, known as “Jardinero,” up to $15 million. Rewards of up to $15 million each were announced for Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán (“Sapo”) and Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez (“Chorro”).
Rewards of up to $10 million each were authorized for Ricardo Ruiz Velasco (“Tripa”), Julio César Montero Pinzón (“El Tarjetas”), and Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela (“La Firma”). A reward of up to $2 million was set for Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzón.
Alongside the rewards, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on 65 individuals identified as family members or close associates of persons linked to CJNG. Twenty-six of those individuals had existing U.S. visas revoked. Officials noted that 93 visas have been revoked from cartel-linked associates since the policy was announced in June 2025.
“These reward offers support our U.S. law enforcement partners in crippling the organization’s leadership,” the State Department said in a media note accompanying the announcement.
The Department of Justice simultaneously unsealed criminal charges against Mendoza Gaytán, Castillo Rodríguez, Ruiz Velasco, Montero Pinzón, and Rivera Varela.
The rewards are funded through the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) and the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP). Established in 1986, the NRP marks its 40th anniversary this year. The programs have paid out over $200 million and helped bring more than 90 transnational criminals to justice.
U.S. authorities released specific contact details for members of the public holding relevant information:
- For Valencia González, Mendoza Gaytán, Castillo Rodríguez, or Ruiz Velasco: Contact the DEA at 1-213-237-9990 via phone, text, WhatsApp, Signal, or Threema, or email CJNGtips@dea.gov.
- For Montero Pinzón, Rivera Varela, or Arredondo Pinzón: Contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, 212-384-1778 on WhatsApp, or online at fbi.gov/cjngrewardtips.
- For Flores Silva: Contact HSI at 866-347-2423 or online at ice.gov/tips.
Individuals located outside the United States are advised to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, while those inside the country can contact local DEA, FBI, or HSI offices.
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