US sanctions Mexican cartels over terrorism, drug trafficking, extortion

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on two Mexican cartels and seven individuals for allegedly engaging in terrorism, drug trafficking, and agricultural extortion.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted Carteles Unidos, also known as United Cartels, and Los Viagras, along with their alleged leaders and members, under counterterrorism and counternarcotics authorities.

“Today’s sanctions action draws further attention to the diverse, insidious ways the cartels allegedly engage in violent activities and exploit otherwise legitimate commerce,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

The move, coordinated with US and Mexican law enforcement, freezes any US-linked assets of those sanctioned and prohibits transactions with them.

The State Department also announced rewards totaling up to $26 million for information leading to the arrest of five senior Carteles Unidos members, who allegedly produce synthetic opioids and extort farmers in Mexico’s Michoacan state.