Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Figueroa Killed in Army Clash: US Bounty

Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Killed in Army Clash

A major figure in a notorious Mexican drug cartel, Jorge Humberto Figueroa, has been killed in a clash with army troops, authorities said. He had a significant bounty on his head in the United States.

Details of the Incident

The public safety secretary, Omar Garcia Harfuch, announced on social media that Figueroa was shot and killed during a raid conducted to arrest him. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his arrest, related to suspicions of fentanyl trafficking and money laundering.

Background and Cartel Conflict

The incident occurred in Sinaloa state, home to the powerful Sinaloa cartel. The region is currently experiencing a fierce conflict between two rival factions, which has resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths since September. Figueroa was reportedly one of the key figures behind a notorious clash with authorities in 2019 in Culiacan.

Past Events and Key Figures

In 2019, cartel members engaged security forces who had arrested Ovidio Guzman, the son of Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman. Mexican authorities controversially released Ovidio Guzman at the time to prevent further bloodshed. He was eventually re-arrested in 2023 and extradited to the United States, where he remains in custody. Figueroa reportedly belonged to a Sinaloa cartel faction led by the sons of Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman, who is currently serving a life sentence in the United States. This faction is battling another led by heirs of cartel co-founder Ismael Zambada.