An American citizen now appears to be in charge of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel, potentially complicating U.S. efforts to eradicate the narcotics trade here. U.S. intelligence agencies may now face legal hurdles in directly targeting and collecting personal data on Valencia González because of his place of birth. Targeted assassinationsValencia González’s citizenship would dramatically raise the stakes should Trump follow through with his publicly expressed desire to carry out targeted assassinations against Mexican drug lords. Valencia González, whose nicknames include “Baldy,” “Bimbo” and “R-3,” was born in Santa Ana, Calif. The “Cuinis” became a sophisticated financial arm of Oseguera’s Jalisco cartel, and key to the organization’s success at home and abroad.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 19, 2026 14:02 UTC