René Velázquez Valenzuela
René Velázquez Valenzuela | |
|---|---|
| Died | 30 October 2016 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Resting place | El Salado, Culiacán Municipality, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation | Hitman |
| Employer(s) | Los Ántrax (suspected) Sinaloa Cartel (suspected) |
| Predecessor | José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa |
René Velázquez Valenzuela (died 30 October 2016) was a Mexican suspected hitman and high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel, a criminal group based in Sinaloa. According to security forces, Velázquez was a senior member within Los Ántrax, one of the Sinaloa Cartel's assassin squads responsible for fighting rival gangs, guarding drug shipments, and protecting the family of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, one of Mexico's most-wanted men. He was commonly referred to by his aliases "El Sargento Phoenix" (The Phoenix Sergeant), "El Gato Negro" (The Black Cat), and "El Talibán" (The Taliban). Velázquez was known for his long beard and shaved head.
Originally a truck driver in Sinaloa, he was recruited by Los Ántrax in 2008 and became a trusted member due to his adept combat abilities in the field. He was arrested later that year after turning himself in to allow his boss José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa (alias "El Chino Ántrax") to escape during a shootout. While in prison, authorities suspected that he controlled one of the prison sectors. He was released in 2014 and re-joined Los Ántrax as its second-in-command. In 2016, he was killed in a clash with the Mexican Army in Culiacán.