The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two brothers accused of leading operations for Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel in Tijuana. The State Department confirmed that the reward is part of its Narcotics Rewards Program, aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations.
Officials identified the two men as René Arzate García, 42, known as “La Rana” (“The Frog”), and his brother Alfonso Arzate García, 52, known as “Aquiles” (“Achilles”). Both are alleged to be plaza bosses overseeing cartel activities in Baja California, including drug trafficking and violent enforcement operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The announcement coincided with new indictments filed in San Diego, charging René Arzate García with conspiracy, narcoterrorism, and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Authorities said the charges reflect the cartel’s role in fueling violence and destabilizing communities on both sides of the border.
Under the program, the U.S. is offering $5 million for information on each brother. The State Department emphasized that tips can be submitted confidentially and may come from any country, underscoring the global reach of the cartel and the international effort to bring its leaders to justice.
The move highlights Washington’s intensified focus on cartel leadership structures in northern Mexico, where the Sinaloa cartel has long battled rivals such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel for control of smuggling routes. Analysts say the reward reflects growing concern over cartel-linked violence spilling into U.S. communities.
