Sinaloa Cartel: U.S. imposes sanctions on leaders and political associates

Sinaloa Cartel OFAC sanctions money laundering Baja California narco-terrorism

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has imposed sanctions on approximately 21 individuals and 25 entities linked to the Sinaloa cartel. The measures target a network of financial operators, former public officials, and businesses in Baja California, including Tijuana and Mexicali, accused of facilitating drug trafficking and money laundering.

Among the high-profile targets is Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as 'Mayito Flaco', identified as the leader of the 'Los Mayos' faction. The sanctions also include Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, the former husband of the Governor of Baja California, and his brother Luis Alfonso Torres Torres. Authorities allege Carlos Torres used political influence to protect cartel activities and shield them from law enforcement.

Other individuals named include former Mexicali Public Security Director Pedro Ariel Mendivil García, who is accused of receiving payments to facilitate cartel operations. The sanctions target various sectors used for laundering funds, such as currency exchanges, real estate, security, and entertainment companies.

In response, Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) has added the sanctioned individuals and entities to its Blocked Persons List as a preventive measure to protect the national financial system.

Entities

Baja California · Carlos Alberto Torres Torres · Financial Intelligence Unit · Ismael Zambada Sicairos · Mexico · Sinaloa Cartel · U.S. Department of State · U.S. Department of the Treasury · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against approximately twenty alleged members of the Sinaloa cartel. www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.sigmalive.com · plural.mx · proyectodiez.mx · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Sanctioned parties are prohibited from holding assets in U.S. jurisdiction or accessing U.S. financial services. www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.sigmalive.com · plural.mx · proyectodiez.mx · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Targeted entities include currency exchanges, transportation companies, and various local businesses. www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.sigmalive.com
[DISPUTED] Sanctions were imposed on approximately thirty entities and Mexican public officials suspected of involvement in drug trafficking corruption. www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.sigmalive.com · plural.mx · proyectodiez.mx · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The Sinaloa cartel was designated as a 'narco-terrorist organization' by the Trump administration in February 2025. www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.sigmalive.com · plural.mx · proyectodiez.mx · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Ismael Zambada Sicairos, also known as 'Mayito Flaco', is identified by Washington as the current leader of the cartel. www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.sigmalive.com · plural.mx · proyectodiez.mx · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Marco Antonio Moreno Gómez Santelices and Carlos Villela Gómez Santelices were designated for operating a business network in security, real estate, and entertainment to launder cartel funds. plural.mx
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former Mexicali Public Security Director Pedro Ariel Mendivil García allegedly received payments from Juan José Ponce Félix, known as 'El Ruso', to facilitate cartel operations. proyectodiez.mx
[● 2 SOURCES] Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, the former husband of the Governor of Baja California, is identified as a political operator linked to the Sinaloa cartel. plural.mx · proyectodiez.mx
[● 4 SOURCES] The sanctions prohibit sanctioned individuals and entities from holding assets in U.S. jurisdiction or accessing U.S. financial services. www.alphatv.gr · www.capital.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The sanctions target a network of businesses in security, real estate, and entertainment used for laundering cartel funds. plural.mx
[● 7 SOURCES] Ismael Zambada Sicairos, alias 'Mayito Flaco', is identified by Washington as the leader of the 'Los Mayos' faction. penascodigital.com · laregiontula.com.mx · proyectodiez.mx · www.alphatv.gr · www.capital.gr · +2 more