The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned nearly 50 targets who serve as leaders or facilitators for the Sinaloa Cartel, including cartel leader Ismael Zambada Sicairos, also known as "Mayito Flaco," members of his innermost circle, and Tijuana-based cell leaders, money launderers and corrupt politicians.
The action covers 21 individuals and 25 entities, targeting those who permit the Sinaloa Cartel to operate with impunity just miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
"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. "Our message is clear: the Trump Administration will identify and disrupt any cartel actor who threatens our security or the integrity of our financial system."
OFAC said it has taken more than 30 actions targeting over 400 individuals and entities since the beginning of 2025, in coordination with the Homeland Security Task Force. The investigation was conducted in parallel with the HSTF, with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, as well as assistance from the Department of War, including U.S. Northern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force–Counter Cartel.
The designations were made pursuant to Executive Order 14059, which targets the international proliferation of illicit drugs, and E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists and their supporters.
Mayito Flaco, a dual Mexican-U.S. national born in Anaheim, California, in 1982, has risen to fill the leadership void left by the July 2024 arrest of his father, Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as "El Mayo," a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel. OFAC said Mayito Flaco is now the undisputed head of Los Mayos and remains a fugitive in Mexico after a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California indicted him in July 2014 on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
Among those designated are Hildegardo Gastelum Garcia, known as "Aldo," described as one of Mayito Flaco's most trusted advisors and owner of a Culiacan-based hotel business; brothers Jorge Luis Mendoza Uriarte, known as "Guero Chompas," now head of security for Los Mayos, and Francisco Javier Mendoza Uriarte; and Lorenzo Castillo Maldonado, who OFAC said was serving a life sentence in Mexican prison when Sinaloa Cartel-linked individuals bribed officials to secure his release.
OFAC also re-designated Tijuana plaza bosses Alfonso Arzate Garcia, known as "Aquiles," and Rene Arzate Garcia, known as "La Rana," along with their three principal lieutenants and a Tijuana money exchange, Galerias Centro Cambiario, used to launder bulk cash narcotics proceeds.
In Mexicali, the sanctions target Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, ex-husband of the Governor of Baja California, and his brother Luis Alfonso Torres Torres, as well as former Mexicali Director of Public Security Pedro Ariel Mendivil Garcia. The State Department revoked Carlos Torres's U.S. visa in May 2025 due to his cartel affiliation.
As a result of the action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.