In response to an updated U.S. list of individuals and companies alleged to have links to terrorists and drug traffickers, Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) froze nearly two dozen bank accounts on Thursday, including one that belongs to a ruling party lawmaker.
Earlier, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an office of the Treasury Department, formally designated the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as “Los Mayos” and the leader of its armed wing, Juan José Ponce Félix (aka “El Ruso”), as terrorists.
Shortly thereafter, the UIF blocked a total of 22 accounts belonging to taxpayers accused of money laundering by the OFAC, which also alleged that those 22 individuals and companies have ties with the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
In a Thursday press release, the OFAC designated five individuals and 15 companies it had linked to a regional network of Los Mayos as “Specially Designated Nationals” (SDNS), while also designating the leader of a separate Sinaloa Cartel-affiliated gang engaged in fentanyl production.
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a foreign terrorist organization that continues to traffic narcotics, launder its proceeds, and corrupt local officials,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley, during a Thursday trip to Mexico City.
Among those added to the SDNS List was Deputy Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo, a member of the ruling Morena party. Brown’s alleged relationship with Los Mayos dates to her time as mayor of Rosarito, Baja California (2021-2024).
“Due to its proximity to the U.S. border, Rosarito and the surrounding areas form a key artery for Sinaloa Cartel’s drug trafficking operations,” the OFAC noted.
The OFAC alleges that Brown had links to Candelario Arcega, a member of Los Mayos whose name is also on the latest SDNS list. The pair was allegedly associated with the Arzate brothers, previously designated Los Mayos leaders.
“Arcega maintains a close personal relationship with Brown and, because of their relationship, was able to control parts of the municipal government and appoint his allies to high-level positions within Rosarito’s government,” the OFAC press release stated.
After the OFAC action, the UIF announced that it had frozen bank accounts belonging to seven individuals and 15 companies.
“As a result of the designation of the [OFAC], and within the framework of the international cooperation mechanisms to which the Mexican State participates in matters of money laundering and terrorist financing prevention, the UIF has ordered an administrative freeze” on 22 entities, reads the announcement.
In a statement released on social media, the UIF said it will begin analyzing financial information related to the designated subjects, while also making clear that being included on the SDNS List is “a preventive measure, not a judicial determination, and does not prejudge the existence of criminal liability without evidence.”
If evidence of criminal activity is found, the UIF will forward its findings to the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
When a person or group is designated an SDNS (that is, acting for or on behalf of terrorists or drug traffickers), the U.S. Treasury blocks their assets and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
With reports from La Jornada, El Economista, Proceso and Milenio
Keep diggin’ – there’s plenty more Morena on the take.
I would bet that is sooo correct.
I’m asking myself, why in your articles, do you always write, “the ruling Morena party”? If you were writing an article about Republicans in the U.S., would you phrase it, “the ruling Republican Party”? I find the term prejudicial and a little offensive. As if anyone reading these articles here doesn’t know that the party in power in Mexico is Morena.
good point!
Hi Bon Wa,
While our regular commenters and Mexico-based readers are very knowledgeable about the political situation in Mexico, including the parties that form the government, we have a wide readership from across the world — many of whom are less familiar with the news. We therefore like to make it clear to all readers that when the Morena party representatives are involved, they form part of the current government.
Hope that helps.
It is proper to refer to Morena as the ‘ruling party’ as it has the presidency, a super majority in both houses, 72% of state governors, 5 of nine newly elected Supreme Court judges and a majority of local and state judges.
When has the Democratic or Republican parties ever had that much control.
I agree bon wa. This is a subtle hint that MND doesn’t believe that Mexico is a democracy with Morena in power. Over 70% – who legitimately voted Morena in – would disagree. One proof of democracy is that Morena-related figures like Brown and military personnel including top Navy officials who are accused of corruption are being named and brought to justice.
Hi Meizhu, I was one of the editors on this story. We know that Mexico is a democracy- we refer to it as the ruling party for readers who are unfamiliar with Mexican politics, because Mexico has a Morena party president and the Morena coalition essentially has a supermajority in Congress. Governors from the same coalition lead 3/4 of Mexican states. However, elections are much more independent and the days of PRI one-party rule truly seem to be in the past. Morena is powerful now but that could change with elections, coalition shifts, etc!
I live just south of Rosarito. When she was in office the police did what they wanted without any repercussion. It tainted the city and lost many tourist coming here as the word spread of the negative impact of the corruption. Since she has left office they have fired over 100 police officers. Filing complaints has become easier and having some results. They often just fire the cop. They should start arresting them instead.
Now they need to weed out the employees who still work in goverment offices that are corrupt. Not just in Rosarito but in Ensenada. It’s horrible how deep the corruption goes in Mexico that effects the locals who don’t have the resources ($$$) to fight and expose them.
So nice to read statements of support for action against illegal activity. This is a joint effort between boarder sharing countries. This is the way it should be. One country may start the process but unless the other supports it, it will go nowhere. I feel in less than 5 years Canada/ USA / Mexico could have the strongest trading network and be the envy of many other border sharing countries.
T. Hope you are right. It has always been my hope that all three countries would unite in Making “NORTH AMERICA GREAT” Instead of the Man in the Middle, Just looking out for one country at the expense of the other two.