US Questions Mexico's Response to Cartel Terrorist Designations

Mexico's Response to FTO Designations

• 🎯 Mexico's banking authorities took action by closing three identified banks (Sabanco, Intercam, and Vector) in response to US Treasury's identification of them as primary money laundering concerns.
• 💡 The US Treasury has been accelerating the use of Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designations to prosecute individuals and organizations involved with cartels through material support.
• 🤝 The Mexican government, under President Sheinbaum, is reportedly accelerating and intensifying actions against these organizations, understanding the legal implications of the FTO designations.

Illicit Finance and Collaboration

• 💰 The US aims to integrate illicit finance capabilities derived from FTO designations, new fentanyl-related tools, and existing transnational criminal organization designations to target cartel funding sources.
• 📈 Illicit finance and counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) were identified as two deep dive areas for increased collaboration between the US and Mexican governments during a recent security implementation group meeting.
• 🔍 Both governments are committed to collaborating more closely on combating illicit finance and money flows.

Increased US Efforts Against Cartels

• 📈 There has been a perceived dramatic increase in efforts against illicit trafficking of fentanyl and opioids, designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, and addressing illicit money laundering and trade since the Trump administration.
• 🤝 The partnership and relations between Mexico and the US have reportedly ramped up significantly for the better in combating these illicit activities.
• ⚠️ The US is also seeking to analyze the links and potential factors involving China and other entities in the devastating impact of these activities on American lives.