René Velázquez Valenzuela (died 30 October 2016) was a Mexican suspected hitman and éVeláhigh-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.
Personal life and career
René Velázquez Valenzuela was known by his aliases El Sargento Phoenix (The Phoenix Sergeant), El Talibán (The Taliban), and El Gato Negro (Black Cat). His nickname El Talibán was given to him for his appearance and violent personality, likely an allusion to the Taliban. He was known in the criminal underworld for the way that he executed his victims and for his long beard. In several pictures, Velázquez wore a turban and posed next to a portrait of Osama bin Laden. His behavior and lifestyle were publicized through online pictures and through narcocorridos (drug ballads) about him. Several singers and music groups wrote songs detailing his personal life, including Larry Hernandez, Gerardo Ortiz, Ariel Camacho, Enigma Norteño, Jorge Santa Cruz, and Los Nuevos Rebeldes. Songs described Velázquez as a violent person adept in using multiple types of weapons. He was also described as someone who preferred black clothing, shaving his head, and having a long beard.
Prior to his involvement in organized crime, he worked as a truck driver in Sinaloa. In 2008, however, he joined a hitman squad known as Los Ántrax and held to a senior role as one of its first members. Los Ántrax was a group of assassins aligned to the Sinaloa Cartel, a criminal group based in Sinaloa. It was formed that year by José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa (alias "El Chino Ántrax") and other members to provide armed protection to the family of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, one of Mexico's most-wanted men. The group originated after the Sinaloa Cartel and the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel broke their alliance in 2008. Velázquez oversaw the street drug distributions in southern Culiacán, Sinaloa before becoming a dedicated squad member of Zambada's family security force. He was later tasked with protecting Ismael Zambada Imperial (alias "El Mayito Gordo"), Ismael Zambada Sicairos (alias "El Mayito Flaco"), and Vicente Zambada Niebla (alias "El Vicentillo"), three of El Mayo's children. When he joined Los Ántrax, he shaved his head and grew his beard to show loyalty to El Vicentillo, his former boss and friend. El Mayito Gordo was the one who originally contacted Velázquez to join Los Ántrax.
As a high-ranking member, he reported directly to Aréchiga Gamboa and Eliseo Imperial Castro (alias "El Cheyo Ántrax"). Velázquez gained the trust of his superiors due to his successes at leading Los Ántrax during offensive operations, and for his violent methods and tactical strategies in the field. Los Ántrax were responsible for fighting off rival gangsters of the Sinaloa Cartel, which included the Beltrán Leyva Cartel and Los Zetas, as well as protecting drug shipments owned by the Sinaloa Cartel. With the arrest of El Vicentillo in 2009, the Sinaloa Cartel instructed Velázquez to form a perimeter of scouts across in Culiacán Municipality. The purpose of this group was to report on law enforcement activities or incursions from rival criminal groups.