Infamous Cartel Boss with $1 Million U.S. Reward Fatally Shot in Mexico
Cartel Leader’s Demise Amidst Ongoing Sinaloa Turmoil
In a notable development, a key figure from a notorious Mexican drug cartel has been killed during a confrontation with army troops. Authorities have confirmed that Jorge Humberto Figueroa, known by the alias “El Perris,” met his end during an operation aimed at capturing him. The public safety secretary, Omar Garcia Harfuch, shared this news on social media, highlighting the ongoing strife in Sinaloa state.
Sinaloa, home to the powerful cartel of the same name, is currently engulfed in a violent struggle between two rival factions. Since September, this conflict has claimed around 1,200 lives. Figueroa’s demise marks another chapter in this brutal saga. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had placed a bounty of up to $1 million on him for alleged involvement in fentanyl trafficking and money laundering activities. For more details on the DEA’s efforts, visit the DEA website.
Figueroa was not just any member; he was a mastermind behind an infamous clash with authorities in Culiacan back in 2019. This incident saw cartel members fiercely resisting security forces after the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. In a controversial move at the time, Mexican authorities released Ovidio to prevent further bloodshed. Fast forward to 2023, Ovidio found himself re-arrested and extradited to the U.S., where he remains in custody.
The complexity of these events deepens with revelations about 17 family members of cartel leaders crossing into the U.S. as part of an agreement involving Ovidio Guzman and the Trump administration. Among those entering the U.S. were El Chapo’s ex-wife, Griselda Lopez Perez, and her daughter-details reported by local media.
The internal dynamics within the Sinaloa cartel reveal further intrigue. Figueroa was linked to a faction led by Guzman’s sons-the Chapitos-who have been embroiled in a fierce battle against another group led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s heirs. El Mayo himself was apprehended following a sting operation in 2024.
According to reports from Reforma, Figueroa served as head of security for the Chapitos. Their ruthless reputation is underscored by allegations from a 2023 U.S. Justice Department indictment which describes their use of extreme methods like corkscrews and hot chiles for torture. Victims were reportedly subjected to horrific fates-some even being “fed dead or alive to tigers.”
The unfolding events paint a grim picture of life amid cartel violence in Sinaloa-a stark reminder of the enduring power struggles that grip Mexico’s criminal underworld.
