The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned nearly 50 targets who serve as leaders or facilitators for the Sinaloa Cartel, in one of the Trump administration's largest actions against the organization.
The designations announced Tuesday hit 21 individuals and 25 entities. They include cartel leader Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as "Mayito Flaco," members of his inner circle, Tijuana-based cell leaders, money launderers and corrupt politicians accused of allowing the Sinaloa Cartel to operate with impunity near the U.S.-Mexico border. Treasury says Mayito Flaco has emerged as the undisputed leader of the cartel's Los Mayos faction following the July 2024 arrest of his father, longtime kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia.
Among those sanctioned is Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, the ex-husband of Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Avila, whom Treasury accuses of using political influence to protect the cartel from government and law enforcement intervention in Baja California. His brother Luis Alfonso Torres Torres was also designated, accused of collecting bribes and laundering funds through companies and political campaigns.
"Today's action underscores that no cartel kingpin, corrupt Mexican government official, or financial facilitator is beyond the reach of Treasury's authorities," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "The Trump administration will identify and disrupt any cartel actor who threatens our security or the integrity of our financial system."
The designations cut the targets off from the U.S. financial system, blocking property and assets under U.S. jurisdiction and generally barring Americans from doing business with them. Treasury says it has now taken more than 30 actions targeting over 400 cartel-linked individuals and entities since the beginning of 2025.