The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued sweeping sanctions against two Mexican casino establishments and their operating firm.
Federal authorities claim the venues are linked to the Cartel del Noreste, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the current administration for its involvement in drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Targeting Illicit Financial Hubs
OFAC identified Casino Centenario in Nuevo Laredo as a primary “stash house” for narcotics and a facilitator for the laundering of criminal proceeds. The Diamante Casino and the parent company, Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., were also included in the enforcement action.
Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, was direct regarding President Trump‘s stance:
“As President Trump has made clear, Treasury will use all tools to protect our nation from violent cartels looking to reign terror on innocent Americans. The Treasury will continue to target the diverse revenue streams that cartels rely on to sustain their operations, which include trafficking fentanyl and illegal aliens into the United States.”
The Wider Enforcement Strategy
Beyond the physical venues, OFAC sanctioned several individuals, including Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez, accused of managing human smuggling operations, and attorney Juan Pablo Penilla Rodriguez. These sanctions effectively block all U.S.-based assets of the involved parties and prohibit any U.S. citizens or entities from conducting business with them.
This action builds on previous sanctions against the Sinaloa Cartel-affiliated Hysa group and ten other casinos identified by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). By targeting these diverse revenue streams, the U.S. government aims to dismantle the financial infrastructure that allows violent criminal organizations to operate across the southern border.
