In Global Investigations Review, María González Calvet Discussed How Cartel Designations Are Reshaping Corporate Compliance

In a Global Investigations Review article, María González Calvet, co-chair of the anti-corruption and international risk practice and Latin America practice, discussed how the designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations is transforming corporate risk disclosures and compliance frameworks.

María noted that the legal landscape has shifted decisively: “We have here a very clear shift in a legal framework and a very clear articulation by U.S. regulators that that shift in legal framework will lead to greater enforcement.” She observed that companies may be "taking the signal from the department and from U.S. regulators that this is a very serious enforcement risk.”

On protecting employees facing cartel threats, María called it “probably the most existential component of this,” asking how companies can mitigate safety risks “when knowingly paying or providing any material support to a designated terrorist organization is a violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.” She also advised companies to be proactive to meet the shift in legal expectations.