Two alleged high-ranking members of the Barrio Azteca (BA) gang, a criminal organization with strong ties to Mexico and the infamous Juarez Cartel, have been extradited from Mexico to the United States. Eduardo Ravelo and Enrique Guajardo Lopez are now facing serious charges in connection with the brutal March 2010 murders of U.S. Consulate employees in Juarez, Mexico.
Ravelo, known by aliases “Tablas,” “Tablero,” and “T-Blas,” and Guajardo Lopez, also known as “Kiki,” were transferred to U.S. custody on February 20th. They made their initial court appearances in the Western District of Texas, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims and a blow against transnational crime. Ravelo, who was once on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, and Guajardo are facing a 12-count indictment that was initially unsealed in March 2011.
“These defendants are accused of participating in the horrific murders of three U.S. Consulate employees in Mexico back in March 2010, alongside numerous other acts of senseless violence,” stated Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “No individual in the U.S., whether on the northern or southern side of our border with Mexico, should be forced to live in fear due to Barrio Azteca, any other violent border gang, or drug cartels. The extradition of these defendants to the United States underscores the Department’s unwavering dedication to dismantling transnational criminal organizations and ensuring justice for the victims of those tragic murders in Juarez, Mexico.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas emphasized the importance of this extradition: “Securing the extradition and U.S. custody of these two defendants, both alleged members of Barrio Azteca operating along our border, is crucial to our mission of disrupting and dismantling these incredibly dangerous criminal organizations. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, this U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to aggressively prosecuting Ravelo and Guajardo throughout this case for their alleged roles in the 2010 Consulate murders and other gang-related criminal activities.”
Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division added, “These extraditions clearly demonstrate the FBI’s firm commitment to holding violent criminals accountable, regardless of where they attempt to hide. The FBI, together with our partners, will relentlessly pursue Barrio Azteca and other transnational gangs wherever they operate and seek justice for all victims affected by their violent actions.”
Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated, “The extradition of these two members of the Barrio Azteca transnational criminal organization brings us significantly closer to achieving justice for the victims of the 2010 U.S. Consulate murders in Juarez. The DEA never forgets, and we never give up. Our dedication to pursuing members of violent criminal organizations who threaten American lives remains as strong as ever. Our message is clear: DEA will utilize every resource available to secure justice for American lives lost due to these violent networks.”
The Barrio Azteca and the Juarez Cartel Alliance
The Barrio Azteca, often referred to as Azteca Mexico due to their significant operations south of the border, began as a street and prison gang in the late 1980s. Over time, it evolved into a powerful transnational criminal organization. Crucially, in the 2000s, Barrio Azteca forged a strategic alliance with “La Linea,” the armed wing of the Juarez Drug Cartel, also known as the Vincente Carrillo Fuentes Drug Cartel (VCF).
This alliance between Azteca Mexico and La Linea was formed to wage war against the Sinaloa Cartel, led by Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman, and its allies for control of the lucrative drug trafficking routes through Juarez and Chihuahua. These routes, collectively known as the Juarez Plaza, are highly prized by drug cartels as they represent a primary conduit for illicit drugs entering the United States. The fight for control of these routes has resulted in extreme violence and instability in the region, impacting both sides of the US-Mexico border.
The Barrio Azteca operates with a militaristic command structure. Within the gang, there are clearly defined ranks, including captains, lieutenants, sergeants, and soldiers. The gang’s primary objectives are to maintain power and generate wealth for its members and associates through a range of criminal enterprises. These include drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, intimidation, violence, threats of violence, and murder.
Charges and the Ongoing Investigation
In total, 35 individuals associated with Barrio Azteca, operating in both the United States and Mexico, were charged in the third superseding indictment. These charges encompass a wide range of serious federal crimes, including racketeering, narcotics distribution and importation, retaliation against informants, extortion, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and murder.
Of these 35 defendants, ten Mexican nationals, including Ravelo and Guajardo, are specifically charged with the March 13, 2010, murders in Juarez. The victims were U.S. Consulate employee Leslie Ann Enriquez Catton; her husband, Arthur Redelfs; and Jorge Alberto Salcido Ceniceros, the husband of another U.S. Consulate employee.
To date, all 35 defendants have been apprehended. A significant number, 28, have already pleaded guilty. Three others were convicted at trial, and tragically, one defendant committed suicide before his trial concluded. One remaining defendant is still awaiting extradition from Mexico, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bring all those responsible to justice.
Court documents and evidence presented during the trials of co-defendants indicate that Ravelo and Guajardo were deeply involved in Barrio Azteca activities. This included participation in narcotics trafficking and various acts of violence perpetrated by BA members in both Mexico and the United States.
If convicted on the current charges, both Ravelo and Guajardo face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
The extraditions of Ravelo and Guajardo are a direct result of the close and effective collaboration between U.S. law enforcement agencies and the government of Mexico. The cooperation and support from the Mexican government have been essential in achieving these successful extraditions and demonstrate a shared commitment to combating transnational crime.
Numerous agencies played crucial roles in the investigation of this complex case. The FBI El Paso Field Office and FBI Albuquerque Field Office, Las Cruces Resident Agency, along with the DEA Juarez Division and DEA El Paso Division, led the investigation. Significant assistance was also provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Diplomatic Security Service; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; El Paso Police Department; El Paso County Sheriff’s Office; El Paso Independent School District Police Department; Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission; New Mexico State Police; Dona Ana County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office; Las Cruces, New Mexico Police Department; Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility and Otero County Prison Facility New Mexico.
The prosecution is being handled by Trial Attorney Jay Bauer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Trial Attorney Christina Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Spitzer for the Western District of Texas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations also provided substantial assistance throughout this case.
It is important to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
