Treasury Hit the Cartel del Noreste's Money Harder Than Ever. Mexico Wants Proof. Keep Freezing the Cash, and Share the Evidence
Washington sanctioned four people and 11 companies it ties to the cartel that dominates the border across from Laredo. President Sheinbaum says Mexico's financial intelligence unit has not found the links. In our view, the pressure should stay on, with more evidence shared.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 15, 2026 | 6-min read On Tuesday, the Treasury Department sanctioned four individuals and 11 companies that it says are connected to the Cartel del Noreste, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization that grew out of the notorious Los Zetas [1]. The targets, Treasury said, include businesses in quarter horse racing, construction, trucking and the oil and gas sector [1]. On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pushed back, saying her country's financial intelligence unit has not established the cartel links and asking Washington, "give us the evidence" [2]. In our view, both governments have a point, and the answer is not for America to back off. It is for America to keep freezing the money and share as much proof as it safely can. Key Takeaways Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control called this its "fourth and largest action to date" against Cartel del Noreste networks under President Trump [1]. The cartel's stronghold sits across from Laredo, Texas, where nearly 40% of all U.S.-Mexico commercial traffic crosses, according to Treasury [1]. OFAC has taken nearly 40 actions against more