The United States announced more than $100 million in rewards on August 5 for information leading to the arrests or convictions of eight people tied to Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known by its Spanish initials CJNG. The largest offer is up to $25 million for Juan Carlos Valencia González, also known as “Pelón,” whom US court filings identify as the cartel's top leader.
The US Justice Department said the package covered eight named people and accompanied the unsealing of charges against five senior CJNG figures. Rewards range from US$2 million to US$25 million and are conditional on information leading to an arrest, a conviction or both, depending on the person.
The largest reward targets Valencia González
The US State Department increased its reward for Valencia González from US$5 million to US$25 million. The Associated Press reported that he is a dual US-Mexican citizen and the stepson of former CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”.
Oseguera Cervantes was killed during a Mexican military operation in February 2026. US court filings say Valencia González then assumed CJNG's top role, but that assessment has not been tested in a final court ruling. He was previously indicted in the United States on allegations of conspiring to manufacture and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for importation into the country and using firearms in connection with drug trafficking.
Eight offers add up to more than US$100 million
The official breakdown sets rewards of up to US$15 million each for Audias Flores Silva, Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán and Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez. Julio César Montero Pinzón, Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela and Ricardo Ruiz Velasco each carry offers of up to US$10 million, while the offer for Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzón is up to US$2 million.
Flores Silva's status differs from the other cases. Mexican authorities arrested him in April 2026, and the US reward is for information leading to his conviction. The Justice Department said he faces drug-trafficking, firearms and money-laundering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia.
New indictments remain allegations
The five newly unsealed indictments concern Montero Pinzón, Rivera Varela, Mendoza Gaytán, Ruiz Velasco and Castillo Rodríguez. US prosecutors allege that the men participated in drug-distribution conspiracies and used firearms in connection with those offenses. If convicted in the District of Columbia, each could face up to two consecutive life terms.
Arredondo Pinzón faces a separate case in the Eastern District of New York. Prosecutors allege that she, Montero Pinzón and Rivera Varela took part in a timeshare fraud and money-laundering operation controlled by CJNG. None of the indictments establishes guilt, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The US campaign combines criminal and security measures
The US State Department designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization on February 20, 2025, while US prosecutors describe the group as a major supplier of cocaine and methamphetamine to the United States. That designation is a US legal measure; it does not itself prove the criminal allegations against any individual defendant.
The August announcement also included US visa restrictions for relatives and business associates of people linked to the cartel. Those measures operate separately from criminal proceedings and the reward program.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the United States offering?
The eight maximum offers total more than US$100 million. The largest is up to US$25 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Valencia González.
Who are the eight people named?
They are Valencia González, Flores Silva, Montero Pinzón, Rivera Varela, Mendoza Gaytán, Ruiz Velasco, Castillo Rodríguez and Arredondo Pinzón.
Has Valencia González been proven to lead CJNG?
No final judicial ruling cited by the US announcement establishes that claim. US court filings identify him as the top leader after Oseguera Cervantes's death, and the article treats that as the US government's assessment.
Why is there a reward for Flores Silva if he was arrested?
His offer applies to information leading to a conviction. The Justice Department said Mexican authorities arrested him in April 2026.
