Archer Ingram

Archer Ingram

Archer Ingram writes like he’s telling a story over tacos and a cold something—which is why we keep him around. He covers Baja life, events, and the odd pop‑culture curveball with quick humor and straight facts. When he isn’t filing on deadline, he’s “researching” new margaritas or streaming the weird stuff so you don’t have to. At Gringo Gazette North, Archer’s job is simple: keep you informed and make you smile.
Articles, Breaking News, Crime, Mexico: Making Headlines, Public Security, Rosarito

Rosarito’s Ex-Mayor Tagged by U.S. for Alleged Cartel Collusion

Washington woke up with a list and Rosarito’s former mayor was on it. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo, who ran Rosarito City Hall from 2021 to 2024 and now sits in Congress under Morena’s banner, was part of a Sinaloa Cartel racket. The accusation isn’t a court case but a financial hammer: sanctions that freeze any assets in U.S. reach and bar Americans from doing business with her or with the fifteen Rosarito companies the Treasury just blacklisted.

The U.S. statement is blunt. During Brown’s term, cartel operators tied to the Arzate brothers—better known as “Aquiles” and “La Rana”—allegedly installed allies inside local government. Treasury claims Brown, along with fixer Candelario Arcega, collected extortion money, greased operations, and made sure Rosarito’s police looked the other way. In government jargon it’s “facilitating illicit operations.” For residents, it reads more like the city was subcontracted to organized crime.

Brown’s response came quickly and angrily. She called the allegations an “infamia,” insisted her bank accounts are fine, and said she only found out by watching the news like everyone else. She promised to cooperate with whatever authority asks questions. It’s the political equivalent of shrugging while the U.S. slaps a neon sticker on your forehead.

Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila was caught mid-press scrum in Tijuana when reporters asked for comment. Her answer was cautious: just received the info, no further details, let’s wait. She did admit Brown once sat in state security meetings. That’s not the endorsement you want when Washington is describing you as a bagwoman for the Sinaloa Cartel, but it’s all she offered.

For locals and expats, it’s important to understand what sanctions mean. No police raid, no handcuffs, not yet. OFAC designations are paperwork weapons; they strangle money, not people. Banks from San Diego to Mexico City see the list and quietly close doors. Suppliers stop answering calls. Mexico’s own Financial Intelligence Unit has already said it will mirror the move with an administrative freeze, which means even more banking headaches. None of it is proof in court, but it can ruin business overnight.

The credibility question hangs in the air. OFAC doesn’t publish courtroom evidence, only carefully worded accusations. Targets deny everything, always. Still, the U.S. rarely backpedals once a name is public. And the list is long—Brown’s not alone. Operators, relatives, and companies in Rosarito were all designated together, suggesting a network, not a typo.

Brown remains in Congress, still drawing a salary and still claiming innocence. The governor is hedging, the federal party is silent, and the Americans have already moved on to drafting the next sanctions package. Meanwhile, Rosarito is left wondering if its city hall was ever working for the voters or if it was just a branch office of “Los Mayos.”

For expats who wire money, rent property, or buy into local businesses, this is where you pay attention. Sanctions ripple. If a firm is half-owned by someone on the list, banks can shut it down. Compliance departments don’t care about local politics—they care about not getting fined by the U.S. Treasury.

The bottom line is simple enough. The United States just accused Rosarito’s ex-mayor of helping a cartel tax her own city. She says it’s all lies. The governor says she’ll wait and see. And everyone else is left to calculate how long it takes for financial blacklists to turn into political consequences in Mexico. Until then, it’s just another day in Baja, where the ocean steals your flip-flops and Washington steals the headlines.

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 Ensenada, Rosarito

Ensenada Told to Hand Over Rosarito Land, Again

The Baja California Congress has had enough of the territorial tug-of-war between Ensenada and Playas de Rosarito. Lawmakers have once again told both city halls to sit down, coordinate, and finally wrap up the handover of disputed land and assets.

Yes, again.

This latest “exhorto”, basically a strongly worded reminder, was approved unanimously in Congress. The message was clear: Ensenada needs to finish delivering the goods to Rosarito, and Rosarito needs to get its ducks in a row to take over. The call came from Morena deputies Juan Manuel Molina García and Jaime Eduardo Cantón Rocha, who insisted that after years of dragging feet, residents deserve legal certainty and decent public services.

The backstory goes like this. The Baja California Territorial Statute (Decree 15, for those keeping score) set rules for municipal boundaries. It told Ensenada to hand over certain properties, records, and even tax authority to Rosarito. Articles Five and Six of the statute gave a 180-day deadline for transferring files and updating regulations. That deadline passed long ago, yet here we are.

Even January 2024 saw a similar resolution pushed by the very same players: Rocío Adame Muñoz (now Rosarito’s mayor) and Claudia Agatón Muñiz (now mayor of Ensenada). Both promised cooperation. Both still have homework.

In the meantime, confusion reigns in the disputed neighborhoods. Which city collects taxes? Which city provides services? Residents aren’t amused. Congress says the situation undermines trust in government.

The new exhorto adds a layer of accountability. It calls for a legislative follow-up table involving committees on governance, finance, and municipal strengthening. Translation: lawmakers will keep checking until the job is done.

Some voices are calling for more than just a handover. Miguel Ángel Lazcano Campos, legal advisor for the Pro Municipio Committee, argues that Ensenada should not only stop charging taxes in Rosarito’s turf but also pay back what it’s already collected. That idea should spice up future negotiations.

For her part, Ensenada mayor Claudia Agatón recently met with deputies and promised to cooperate. “We want this resolved so residents have certainty and can receive all the services they’re entitled to,” she said. Sounds good on paper—now it’s about action.

Congress isn’t pretending this is optional. The unanimous vote shows legislators are done with excuses. Rosarito and Ensenada have to finish the handoff, transfer the files, and put the territorial dispute to rest.

Until then, it’s a tale of two cities sharing one headache.

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 Articles, Ensenada, Public Security, Video

“Enough Is Enough”: How the Cartels Choke the Seafood Lifeline of Baja California

We pride ourselves on bringing you No Bad News. That’s the deal. But some truths demand an exception. Today, we echo a voice too long suppressed by fear—and we refuse to let it be silenced.

They call it derecho de piso—literally a “floor right,” but let’s be clear: it’s nothing more than protection money, cartel extortion in its rawest form. For decades, Ensenada’s seafood industry—from abalone harvesters to family-run marisquerías—has been strangled by this invisible tax.

Dark waters run deeper than we thought. Cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG don’t just threaten—they control every link of the chain. They underpay the catch, enforce quotas, hijack supply, and procure “monitored” seafood—often at gunpoint—leaving independent operators to choose between extortion or obliteration.

The Voices We’ve Already Lost

  • Minerva Pérez, head of Baja California’s fisheries chamber and CEO of Atenea en el Mar, spoke out against illegal fishing and extortion—and paid with her life. She was ambushed and shot multiple times outside her Ensenada office in July 2024, just hours after warning the world of cartel infiltration in seafood markets.
  • Sunshine Antonio Rodríguez Peña, a leader in Mexicali’s fishing community, was executed in broad daylight last March—firefights rattled social media minutes after he was live-streaming his fish stand.
  • Servando Valenzuela Nakato, a respected shark-business entrepreneur in Ensenada, was gunned down in December 2024—his life cut short for daring to trade in lawful seafood markets.
  • Emilio Ohiiashi Manjarrez Masuda, a known seafood distributor, was also killed—another voice erased from the chain that feeds families and sustains livelihoods.
  • Rubén Marín Villalobos, founder of the seafood cart El Chava, was assassinated just last week while buying shrimp and octopus at the fish market Mares del Pacífico—a routine visit turned fatal at the very heart of the industry. He was remembered by customers and family as “sencillo, amable y cálido” (simple, kind, warm), yet no arrests have been announced even as the investigation continues.

Each of these tragedies traces back to the same root: a cartel chokehold stretching across sea, supply, and street.

A Voice That Broke Through

And then came Moisés Muñiz, young owner of Mariscos El Compa Moy. On August 23, 2025, his heart-wrenching video exploded nationwide:

“My people… starting today, Mariscos El Compa Moy is closing its doors permanently due to insecurity…, protection money.”

His dream—like so many others—was stolen not by market forces, but by violence and impunity.

Why It Matters—and Why You Should Care

This isn’t an isolated problem—it’s systemic:

  • Cartels control every point: from fishing boats to kitchen tables. Fishers earn as little as 60–75 percent of fair market value—or less—while the rest fills cartel pockets.
  • Illegal species trade is rampant: Highly endangered creatures like totoaba are trafficked for profit, amplifying environmental collapse and cartel dominance.
  • Government response is hollow: Condemnations without action—“cowardly” killings met with empty investigations—only embolden cartels.

Listen to Moisés Muñiz (August 23, 2025)

“My people, starting today, Mariscos El Compa Moy is closing its doors permanently due to insecurity in the municipality. … I have been working here for four years—this was my dream. But today, those dreams have been taken away, just like many of my colleagues in the industry.”

This isn’t just another restaurant shutting down—it’s a siren over dying hopes, a cry for rescue from a community being starved by terror.

These cartels aren’t just drug clans—they’re seafood oligarchs suffocating Ensenada’s lifeblood. And until government forces rise from clichés to concrete action, we’ll keep losing more than fish—we’ll be losing culture, survival, and courage.

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 Articles, Tijuana, Wildlife

Massive Whale Found Dead on Tijuana Shore

Beachgoers in Playas de Tijuana got more than just sand in their shoes this week—they got a front-row seat to a 10-foot whale burial.

Yep, you read that right.

On Monday afternoon, a whale washed ashore on the Tijuana coastline, and by Tuesday morning, city workers—alongside Mexico’s environmental agency PROFEPA—showed up with heavy machinery to dig the big guy’s final resting place.

According to officials, the whale had already been dead for over 24 hours by the time the sun came up Tuesday. Low tide hit around 6:45 a.m., and that’s when the backhoes rolled in. Nothing like a dawn funeral with a salty breeze.

Wrapped in a caution tape perimeter (because nobody needs a selfie inside a decomposing whale), the burial became an unexpected attraction. Locals stopped by to snap pics and breathe through their mouths—because by then, the smell had arrived.

“I usually see seals or sea lions washed up,” said René Guzmán, a jogger who frequents the beach. “But this is definitely the biggest I’ve seen.” He also mentioned some mystery creature that floated in a few months back. “It had fur and paws. No idea what it was. The ocean took care of it.”

Nature at work.

As for the cause of death? That’s still a mystery. But officials suspect the same phenomenon that’s been harming marine mammals up and down the coast: domoic acid poisoning. Basically, some not-so-innocent algae bloom releases a toxin. Little fish eat it, big fish eat the little fish, and then sea lions—and possibly whales—end up with neurological damage. Think of it as food poisoning… but ocean-style.

The toxin’s origin? Washington State. Because apparently even algae enjoy a Baja vacation, hitching a ride down the Pacific current.

The algae issue is still under investigation by CICESE and a lab charmingly named “ficotox,” which sounds like something Batman would fight. But until then, the beaches remain under watch—and every now and then, under whale.

Authorities are asking people to steer clear of the burial site to give workers space. And also, you know, avoid the aroma.

So, if your beach walk turns into a biology lesson (or crime scene-looking cordon), now you know: Tijuana’s taking care of its fallen visitors… one whale-sized grave at a time.

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 Articles, Wine Valley

Pier Collapse at Wine Valley Restaurant Sends Diners for a Swim

What’s the last thing you expect when you sit down for lunch at a winery restaurant? A sommelier who can actually pronounce “Gewürztraminer”? Maybe. But how about the floor beneath you collapsing and dumping you, your family, and the guacamole into a five-meter-deep artificial lake? That’s exactly what happened last month at Mawi Valle de Guadalupe—because apparently, “structural maintenance” wasn’t on the menu.

On July 12, four diners sat at one of Mawi’s so-called overhanging piers, which the restaurant markets as a signature attraction. Think Instagram backdrop: rustic wooden pier over calm water, perfect for showing off your wine glass. Except this one gave way, turning a casual day in the Valle into a scene from “Titanic,” minus Leonardo DiCaprio and with more floating salad.

The victims, including a woman identified on Facebook as Alina Kinoshita, went public after waiting a month for what they say was never-delivered help from the restaurant. In a post titled “VIVIMOS PARA CONTARLO!!” (We lived to tell it!!), Kinoshita detailed the chaos. Not only did they plunge into the water, but they were hit with collapsing tables, chairs, glassware, and bits of the pier itself. Two of the group couldn’t swim, forcing others to pull them to safety while waiters dove in like Baywatch extras.

The restaurant staff managed to rescue the group and even waded in to retrieve lost belongings. It took four hours to recover their phones, which were then lovingly buried in rice—because if Facebook has taught us anything, that’s how you fix a drowned iPhone. Spoiler: it didn’t work.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT TRANSLATION
In relation to a recent publication about an incident that occurred on July 12, 2025, we inform you that:
– From the very first moment, immediate assistance was provided to the people involved.
– Medical expenses, check-ups, and tests were covered.
– That same day, an agreement was signed with the parties, covering the total damages for $93,496 MXN.
Additionally, even after covering the amount agreed upon in writing, we continued to cover additional expenses that the person later submitted, always ensuring their well-being.
At Mawi Valle de Guadalupe, the safety and well-being of our visitors will always be our priority.
MAWI VALLE DE GUADALUPE

Kinoshita says the restaurant initially promised to cover medical expenses and damages. But after some handshakes and vague assurances, silence. The group claims ongoing physical and psychological damage, and they’ve taken their case to local authorities. So far, according to them, the owner has ignored official notices.

Mawi Valle de Guadalupe, for its part, released a very different version on Facebook this week. In their statement, they insist they’ve done everything right. They say they provided “immediate assistance,” covered medical bills and tests, and even signed an agreement that day to pay damages—93,496 pesos, to be exact. They also claim they kept covering additional expenses later on. In other words: case closed, nothing to see here.

Except the victims beg to differ. “We tried to settle at first, but they stopped answering us,” Kinoshita wrote. “Our health issues continue, and the trauma is irreversible. Thank God our kids and parents weren’t with us that day.”

And the internet has definitely taken sides. The viral Facebook post has racked up more than 7,000 reactions, over 1,000 comments, and nearly 9,000 shares. That’s the kind of publicity money can’t buy—and no restaurant wants.

The clash has become a full-blown he-said-she-said: the restaurant waving receipts and claiming generosity, the victims posting bruised photos and pointing to unanswered calls. Either way, the viral outrage has done more damage to Mawi’s brand than a one-star Yelp review could ever dream of.

Beyond the legal back-and-forth, the cautionary tale here is simple: be careful where you brunch. Instagrammable views don’t mean the wood beneath your feet is up to code. And if a pier is held together by “aesthetic rustic charm” instead of screws, maybe pick the table inside.

For the diners who fell in, the incident was terrifying. For the Valle restaurant scene, it’s a reminder that maintenance matters just as much as Malbec. And for the rest of us, it’s another reason to check twice before posting that perfect #ValleVibes shot.

Because you never know—next time your wine flight might come with an unplanned swim lesson.

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 Articles, Arts & Literature

Mutual Hug: Where an Eagle Meets a Condor at the Border

If you’ve been to Playas de Tijuana lately, you’ve probably noticed something new on the border wall—something that doesn’t look like it belongs in a dystopian movie. No rust, no razor wire. Instead: color, shapes, and a whole lot of heart.

It’s called Abrazo Mutuo—Mutual Hug—a mural stretching about 60 meters long and nine meters high, painted on the Mexican side of the border fence. The mastermind? Alfredo “Libre” Gutiérrez, a Tijuana-born artist who, after 25 years in the game, knows how to turn cold metal into a warm conversation.

From Prophecy to Paint

The mural takes its cue from an indigenous prophecy known as The Eagle and the Condor. In this centuries-old vision, the eagle represents the cultures of the North, the condor those of the South. When the two birds fly together, peace and balance return to the land. Libre thought there was no better place to put that message than on the literal line dividing Mexico and the U.S.

And he didn’t go it alone. Ten artists joined in, including two young Kumiai creators who showed up with their grandmother. She painted alongside them, taught a workshop on native plants, and even shared traditional herbal tea recipes. This is the kind of art project where you go home with paint under your fingernails and a new respect for chamomile.

The Work and the Why

Over three weeks, the crew worked marathon days—sometimes from eight in the morning to eight at night—filling the wall with Baja landscapes, cultural symbols, and the native plants that survive here despite heat, wind, and politics. Libre says it’s about joy, unity, and deciding to “give color and life” to a place that can feel heavy with division.

The mural’s funding came from a Los Angeles foundation. While grateful, Libre didn’t shy away from pointing out the irony: no local government or big business chipped in. “We should invest in giving love to this city,” he said. “It’s a shame it has to come from abroad.”

Why Here, Why Now

The unveiling, complete with Mexica dance and participation from local indigenous groups, was timed with the 54th anniversary of Friendship Park—a binational space meant to connect people on both sides of the fence. From there, you can see the mural in all its glory, the eagle and condor locked in that symbolic embrace.

Organizers hope Abrazo Mutuo will spark more public art in Tijuana—pieces that reflect its border identity, tell its stories, and maybe even make you smile at a wall that wasn’t built to be smiled at.

As Libre put it: “We decided to be happy, to be united, to be shared nations.” Standing in front of that giant eagle and condor, it’s hard not to believe him.

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 Events, Food, Philanthropy, Wine

Paella, Wine, and a Good Cause? We’re In

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20, 2025—because Ensenada’s most delicious fundraiser is back.

Paella de Verano is setting up camp once again at CETYS Universidad, and it’s not just about rice and seafood. This annual get-together mixes wine, local beer, music, and one massive pan of generosity.

For the price of 3,000 pesos (about $166 USD), you get:

  • A steaming plate of fresh-cooked paella
  • A glass (or three) of Baja’s finest regional wine
  • Local craft beer
  • Live entertainment, including a special performance by the CETYS student orchestra (yes, they’re that good)
  • That warm fuzzy feeling from doing something good

And yes, your ticket includes everything. No add-ons, no upcharges—just vibes and value.

#image_title

So, What’s It For?

Besides giving your taste buds a vacation, Paella de Verano raises money for CETYS’s scholarship fund. That matters—because 8 out of 10 students at CETYS rely on some kind of financial aid. Your ticket helps keep dreams alive, degrees on track, and young people in school instead of in debt.

Foodie Approved

Local restaurants are showing up and throwing down. This year, culinary support comes from Ensenada favorites like Punta Morro, Evoke, La Cevichería, and La Ensenada—all committed to education and flavor in equal measure.

It’s not just a fundraiser. It’s a flavor-raiser.

Event Snapshot:

  • Where: CETYS Universidad, Ensenada campus
  • When: Saturday, September 20, 2025
  • Tickets: 3,000 pesos (≈ $166 USD)
  • Includes: Paella, regional wines, local beer, live music (featuring CETYS student orchestra), and your good deed of the day
  • Restaurants Supporting the Cause: Punta Morro, Evoke, La Cevichería, and La Ensenada

Skip the boring weekend plans. Come hungry, come thirsty, and come ready to make a difference. After all, nothing says “I care about education” quite like a second helping of paella.

For tickets or donations, visit: https://www.cetys.mx/generosidad/en/product/summer-paella-2025/

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Detour Route (in yellow):
 Breaking News, Tijuana

Heads Up Drivers: Detour Ahead on the Way to Rosarito

Partial Closure Hits Key Tijuana Bypass This Week

If your plans this week involve cruising down to Rosarito, better map out a new route.

Starting Saturday, August 2 through Wednesday, August 7, a portion of Boulevard Cuauhtémoc Sur, near Nodo Morelos, will be partially closed. The cause? The state is finally fixing a damaged concrete slab that’s been bumping everyone around for a while.

Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, Baja’s head of Infrastructure and Urban Development (SIDURT), said the repairs require closing the exit ramp from Libramiento Salvador Rosas Magallón that heads toward Playas de Rosarito.

Before you shout ¡no mames!, there’s a workaround.

SIDURT recommends this scenic little detour:

  • Use the three ramps of Nodo Morelos to hop onto Boulevard Cuauhtémoc Sur but head toward downtown Tijuana.
  • Then, take the ramp to Libramiento Rosas Magallón in the Playas de Tijuana direction.
  • Finally, take the last ramp to get back onto Boulevard Cuauhtémoc Sur heading south to Rosarito.

Yep—it’s a mini roller coaster, but it’ll get you there.

Important note: This closure has nothing to do with the recently built Nodo Morelos bridge, which is still standing tall and flowing smoothly with over 100,000 vehicles per day.

The real reason? Just wear and tear.

SIDURT is asking drivers to be extra careful: follow speed limits, respect warning signs, and brace for possible congestion. The smoother ride after August 7 should make up for the temporary headache.

Heading out of town? Maybe leave five minutes early, bring a good playlist, and skip the road rage. After all, this is Baja. You’ll get there—with a taco in hand and sand between your toes.

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 Development, Ensenada, Video

11,800 Say “Nope” to Port Mega Project in El Sauzal

If you were planning on sipping a cocktail while watching whales off the coast of El Sauzal—might want to do it now. That view could soon come with a backdrop of container cranes and fuel tanks.

Over 11,800 people (and counting) have signed a petition on Change.org asking Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to scrap the industrial expansion of the El Sauzal port. Their message? Ensenada doesn’t need a megaport. It needs working streets, clean water, and maybe a public restroom or two that doesn’t smell like sadness.

The proposal would turn the current fishing port into a high-volume industrial hub for containers and—because why not—hydrocarbons. The plan includes extending the breakwater by 4 kilometers, dredging the seafloor to gain 60 new hectares (not for swimming), and increasing container traffic from 400,000 to over 6 million. That’s a 15x jump for anyone keeping score.

And in case you thought this was all part of a master plan with full public support and thorough environmental vetting—think again. The project was announced casually by Sheinbaum during her December 5, 2024, morning press conference. No public consultation. No strategic environmental assessment. No technical analysis explaining why this is even a good idea. Just ta-da!—industrial port, coming right up.

Photo courtesy of Jose Alberto Rosas

Opponents say this monster project could wreck the Bay of Todos Santos. Not only would it bulldoze public beaches and block off shoreline access, it could also kneecap local fishing, endanger public health, and snarl traffic in a town that already suffers from daily bottlenecks and potholes you could lose a small car in.

“This puts our quality of life, economy, and marine culture at serious risk,” reads the petition. And they’re not exaggerating. One lane in, one lane out—what could go wrong when you add thousands of trucks?

Critics argue the 5.7 billion pesos set aside for this beast of a project would be better spent on fixing real issues—like modernizing public transport, upgrading wastewater treatment plants that still dump filth into the ocean, or saving what’s left of our water supply before we all start showering with baby wipes.

Change.org says it verifies that the signatures are from real humans, not just bots or angry sea lions.

At press time, no formal response from the federal government. But here in Ensenada, the pushback is real—and growing.

So if you care about your waves staying blue instead of oily gray, maybe check out the petition. And in the meantime, enjoy that sea breeze while it lasts.

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 National, USA/MEX

Sheinbaum Steps In to Delay U.S. Sanctions on Mexican Banks

Mexico’s new president scores a diplomatic win—but the accusations are still on the table

In what’s being called a behind-the-scenes lifeline, President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed Thursday morning that Mexico’s Ministry of Finance (SHCP) was directly responsible for securing a 45-day reprieve from U.S. sanctions against three Mexican financial institutions accused of laundering cartel cash.

CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector Casa de Bolsa were set to be effectively cut off from the U.S. financial system on July 21 after being labeled as “primary money laundering concerns” by the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The charges? Allegedly helping Mexican cartels move dirty money used in the fentanyl trade.

But thanks to a last-minute intervention from Hacienda, those sanctions won’t take effect until September 4. According to Sheinbaum, the extension was granted “at the request of our Ministry of Finance… we’re working closely with the banks and brokerage firm to resolve this.” One of the banks, she added, is having its trust operations temporarily taken over to prevent further problems.

Hacienda Calls It “Respect for Our Sovereignty”

Mexico’s Finance Ministry didn’t just pull diplomatic strings—they issued a formal thank-you to Washington, calling the delay the product of “dialogue and collaboration… within a framework of respect for our sovereignty.”

The U.S. side confirmed the extension in a July 9 press release, noting that Mexico had taken “further steps” to address concerns, including assuming temporary control of the three institutions. FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki described the move as “necessary to protect the U.S. financial system from abuse by illicit actors.”

So far, the joint efforts appear to be holding. But make no mistake: the accusations haven’t disappeared.

No Proof, Says Sheinbaum

Back in June, President Sheinbaum flatly denied the money laundering claims during a morning press conference, saying: “There’s no proof—only statements. If there is proof, we will act. But without proof, we can’t.”

Despite that, the accusations have already triggered fallout. Several U.S. and Mexican companies have suspended business with CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector while the legal dust settles.

Treasury’s orders were issued under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act—two tools increasingly used by the U.S. government to hit cartels in the pocketbook by choking off their financial lifelines. According to FinCEN, the three firms were instrumental in laundering proceeds that helped manufacture and traffic fentanyl across borders.

Still on the Watchlist

With the clock now ticking toward the new September 4 deadline, both governments are scrambling to show compliance—or at least enough good faith—to avoid a full financial blacklisting.

Mexico’s financial authorities say they’re reinforcing oversight and internal controls at the institutions. Meanwhile, FinCEN is watching closely and has made it clear they’ll “consider all facts and circumstances” before deciding whether to grant any further delays.

As for Sheinbaum, this may be her first big international test as president. And while she’s bought some time, the real challenge lies in what happens next.

Stay tuned. This story’s far from over.

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