Background on Key Individuals and Organizations
The Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF) of Mexico’s Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP) has taken action against 22 accounts of individuals and entities flagged by the United States for alleged money laundering and connections to the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Who are “Los Mayos”?
“Los Mayos” is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most notorious drug trafficking organizations. This faction is led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who has been a key figure in the cartel since the early 1990s. The group operates primarily in southern Mexico, near the US border.
Who are the key individuals involved?
- Hilda Araceli Brown: A Morena party representative.
- Mario Alberto Herrera Sánchez and Karlo Omar Herrera Sánchez: Associates of Jesús González Lomelí.
- Jesús González Lomelí: A high-ranking financial operator for the Sinaloa Cartel, based in Rosarito, Baja California. He owns several bars, restaurants, and resorts across Mexico, which have been used to launder millions of dollars from drug trafficking on behalf of the Arzate brothers and other high-ranking cartel members, including “El Ruso.”
UIF’s Actions and International Cooperation
The UIF acted based on the designation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the United States. This action was part of Mexico’s international cooperation to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.
On Tuesday, the OFAC published a list of individuals and 15 companies sanctioned for alleged money laundering. These entities are linked to “Los Mayos” and operate in southern Mexico, near the US border.
Preventive Measures
The UIF explained that integrating international lists from foreign authorities allows them to coordinate with Mexico’s financial system to prevent illicit funds from entering the national economy.
The blocking of accounts is a preventive measure, not a judicial determination. It does not imply guilt without evidence. The UIF will analyze related financial information and report any suspicious activities to the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) for further legal action.
Impact on the Sinaloa Cartel and Mexico
These actions by the UIF demonstrate Mexico’s commitment to combating money laundering and disrupting criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel. By targeting key financial operators, the Mexican government aims to weaken the cartel’s ability to launder drug trafficking proceeds and finance their operations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the UIF? The Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF) is Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit, responsible for combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
- What is the Sinaloa Cartel? The Sinaloa Cartel is one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations, with “Los Mayos” being one of its prominent factions.
- Who are “Los Mayos”? “Los Mayos” is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, operating primarily in southern Mexico near the US border.
- What is the significance of the OFAC designation? The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designation by the US government prompted the UIF’s actions against accounts linked to money laundering and the Sinaloa Cartel.
- What are preventive measures? Preventive measures, like account blocking, are taken by the UIF to stop illicit funds from entering Mexico’s economy without implying guilt.
