US Sanctions Ex-Husband of Baja California Governor, 20 Others Linked to Sinaloa Cartel
The US Treasury's OFAC designated 21 individuals and 25 entities, including Carlos Torres Torres and 'Mayito Flaco', for alleged ties to the cartel's Los Mayos faction.
KEY POINTS
- US OFAC sanctioned 21 people and 25 entities linked to Sinaloa Cartel's Los Mayos faction.
- Sanctioned individuals include Governor Marina del Pilar's ex-husband Carlos Torres Torres and former officials.
- Governor Ávila Olmeda denies involvement, confirms legal divorce, and orders contract review of sanctioned firms.
- Mexico's UIF freezes accounts of designated individuals as a precautionary measure.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns cartel facilitators and corrupt officials are within US reach.
The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 21 individuals and 25 entities on Tuesday for alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel's Los Mayos faction, led by Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as 'Mayito Flaco'.
Among those designated are Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, ex-husband of Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, his brother Luis Torres Torres, and former Mexicali security director Pedro Ariel Mendivil. US authorities allege Mendivil used political influence to favor 'Los Rusos', a group linked to Los Mayos.
“No cartel leader, corrupt Mexican government official, or financial facilitator is beyond the reach of Treasury authorities.”
Governor Ávila Olmeda distanced herself from the sanctions, stating she is legally divorced from Torres Torres and their only link is their son's welfare. She declared she holds no foreign bank accounts or property and her assets are declared in Mexico.
The state government instructed the Official Mayor's office to review contracts with the sanctioned companies. Any findings will be referred to the Anti-Corruption and Good Government Secretariat for legal action.
Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) responded by freezing the accounts of those designated as a precautionary measure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the action shows no cartel leader or corrupt official is beyond US reach.
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