Background on Pablo Gómez and the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF)
Pablo Gómez leads the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF), a Mexican financial intelligence unit under the Secretaría de Hacienda. The UIF is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating financial intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.
Increase in US Requests for Information
According to data from the UIF, the United States has significantly increased its requests for information related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing from Mexico since 2022. From 2020 to 2024, the US made a total of 388 requests for information to the unit led by Pablo Gómez via the Egmont Secure Network, an international communication system for financial intelligence units.
UIF’s Response to Information Requests
The UIF has consistently responded to information requests from other countries, including the US, as part of international collaboration commitments. However, there have been reports suggesting that the UIF has withheld information from anti-money laundering reports received from other countries.
US Focus on Mexican Financial Operations
The data reviewed indicates that since 2022, the US has intensified its requests for anti-money laundering information from Mexico. In 2020, the US made 45 requests; in 2021, it dropped to 37. However, the number increased to 110 in 2022, then decreased to 90 in 2023, and rose again to 106 in 2024. The UIF modified its monthly report format in 2025, so the number of requests is no longer included.
This trend reflects the US government’s heightened scrutiny of Mexican financial operations that may indicate money laundering or terrorism financing.
Recent US Actions Against Mexican Financial Institutions
Recently, the US identified three Mexican financial institutions—two banks and a securities firm—for allegedly facilitating money laundering linked to fentanyl. Initially, these sanctions were expected to take effect on July 21, but there has been a delay, and they will now start on September 4.
