“Hummer” Gets 35 Years: Cartel Figure Convicted in US Court
A former leader of the notorious Los Zetas cartel, Jaime González Durán, also known as “The Hummer,” has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term in the United States. The conviction, announced on June 20, highlights the ongoing efforts to bring high-level drug traffickers to justice.
The Hummer’s Crimes
González Durán, one of the founders of the brutal Los Zetas, was found guilty of conspiring to produce and distribute substantial quantities of cocaine and marijuana. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the sentence, which will see him incarcerated for 35 years.
“The Hummer” had a significant role as a hitman for the Gulf Cartel and was linked to a dark chapter in Mexican regional music: the murder of singer Valentín Elizalde.
A Controversial Death
On November 26, 2006, after a concert in Reynosa, Elizalde was killed in a hail of bullets. The singer’s performance of the song “To My Enemies” is believed to have angered González Durán, who controlled the area.
The Singer’s Legacy
Following the performance, Elizalde and his team were ambushed. His driver and representative also died in the attack. The only survivor, Fausto ‘Tano’ Elizalde, Elizalde‘s cousin, was seriously injured.
The Mexican regional music community continues to honor Elizalde. His family still organizes events to celebrate his music, keeping his memory alive. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that over 100,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2022 (DEA 2022).
