U.S. Sanctions on Mexican Banks Could Signal New Era of Cross-Border Enforcement, Says María González Calvet

The recent U.S. Treasury Department sanctions against three major Mexican financial institutions allege money laundering related to opioid trafficking, as part of a broader U.S. strategy to combat the fentanyl crisis and target the financial infrastructure supporting narcotics trafficking.

As Mexican authorities and financial institutions work to respond, María González Calvet, co-chair of the anti-corruption and international risk practice and Latin America practice, offered key insights into the evolving enforcement landscape in an article in Law.com International.

She observed that the U.S. government is likely to pursue more complex, coordinated cases that involve inter-agency cooperation, saying, “It’s a perfect storm where you’re really cross-pollinating effectively.”

María also noted that if these leaner government teams can successfully execute these types of multifaceted cases, it will result in “a really complex enforcement and compliance landscape” for financial institutions operating across borders.

For additional resources, read our recent insights on the DOJ’s New FCPA Playbook, visit our Anti-Corruption & International Risk and Crisis Management & Investigations practices, R&G Insights Lab offering, and our Capital Insights resource center for updates and our latest thinking on developments in Washington, D.C., what they mean for you, and how we can help.