The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Aureliano Guzmán Loera, known as “El Guano,” a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel.
The reward offer was made public through the Narcotics Rewards Program, which targets key figures in international drug trafficking organizations. Guzmán Loera is the brother of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and is believed to have played a significant role in the cartel’s operations, particularly in the production and distribution of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.
U.S. Authorities have identified Guzmán Loera as a priority target due to his alleged involvement in coordinating cross-border drug shipments and managing logistics for the Sinaloa Cartel’s northern Mexico operations. His network is suspected of facilitating the movement of large quantities of narcotics into the United States.
The announcement follows a pattern of increased pressure on Sinaloa Cartel leadership by U.S. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies, particularly after the extradition and incarceration of Joaquín Guzmán in 2017. Despite leadership changes, the cartel remains one of the most powerful and resilient drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere.
Officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice have emphasized that dismantling the cartel’s infrastructure requires targeting not only its most visible leaders but as well those responsible for operational continuity. Guzmán Loera is considered a key figure in maintaining the cartel’s supply chains and enforcing discipline within its ranks.
The reward is part of a broader strategy to disrupt transnational criminal organizations by incentivizing intelligence from individuals with direct access to criminal networks. Similar offers have been made in recent years for other high-value targets linked to cartels operating in Mexico and Central America.
As of the announcement, no further details were provided regarding specific leads or ongoing investigations related to Guzmán Loera’s whereabouts. U.S. Agencies continue to coordinate with Mexican authorities, although public statements on joint operational efforts remain limited.
The State Department confirmed that the reward remains active and will be paid upon verification of information that results in an arrest or conviction. No timeline was indicated for when the reward might be claimed or resolved.
