{"id":51800,"date":"2025-09-04T08:28:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T08:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/?post_type=press_releases&p=51800"},"modified":"2025-09-04T15:08:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T15:08:05","slug":"us-sanctions-two-mexican-cartels-and-key-individuals","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/press-releases\/us-sanctions-two-mexican-cartels-and-key-individuals\/","title":{"rendered":"US sanctions two Mexican Cartels and key individuals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by: Nereida Melendez-Rivera<\/a>, Sonia Torres Pab\u00f3n<\/a>, Antonio Cardenas Arriola<\/a>, Isabel Lecompte<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The US Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced significant new sanctions targeting two major Mexican criminal organizations \u2013 Carteles Unidos and Los Viagras \u2013 along with seven affiliated individuals. These actions are part of a broader US government effort to disrupt the operations of cartels responsible for violence, drug trafficking, terrorism, and widespread extortion, particularly in Mexico\u2019s agricultural sector.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In this alert, we highlight the designated entities and individuals targeted by the sanctions. In addition, we discuss legal and compliance implications and set out key takeaways for companies that may be exposed to risk from the sanctions.<\/p>\n

Background on the sanctioned organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carteles Unidos<\/em><\/p>\n

Carteles Unidos originated in Michoac\u00e1n, M\u00e9xico as a defensive alliance against the Jalisco Nueva Generaci\u00f3n Cartel (CJNG). It has since evolved into a major criminal enterprise. Its activities include large-scale drug production and trafficking, extortion, arms smuggling, and violent confrontations with both rival organizations and authorities. The group is primarily active in central and western Mexico, but its influence is expanding transnationally.<\/p>\n

The US government has designated Carteles Unidos as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), and it is subject to extensive US sanctions due to its involvement in illicit activities.<\/p>\n

Los Viagras<\/em><\/p>\n

Los Viagras is a Michoac\u00e1n-based criminal organization involved in trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine. In its conflict for control of Michoac\u00e1n, Los Viagras has recently allied with CJNG, one of the two Mexican cartels primarily responsible for the supply of illicit fentanyl into the US. Furthermore, Los Viagras has extorted avocado and citrus growers, cattle ranchers, and entire towns to generate revenue. Los Viagras has also conducted kidnappings and attacked Mexican security forces.<\/p>\n

Sanctioned individuals<\/em><\/p>\n

The following individuals have been sanctioned for their affiliation with the above-mentioned organizations:<\/p>\n