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.