Washington D.C. – The United States government has begun imposing travel restrictions and sanctions on prominent Mexican politicians linked to alleged drug-related corruption. According to US officials, the move is part of an effort to crack down on narcotics trafficking in Mexico, which has been a major point of contention between the two nations.
The list of Mexican politicians subject to visa restrictions includes leaders of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party, Morena, several state governors, and former cabinet ministers. At least two prominent figures have publicly acknowledged that their US visas were revoked: Marina del Pilar, the governor of Baja California, and Américo Villarreal, the governor of Tamaulipas.
US officials confirmed that the visa revocations are part of a broader effort to target Mexican politicians with alleged ties to drug trafficking. The move has raised concerns among current and former US diplomats, who argue that the burden of proof required for cancelling visas is lower than in a criminal trial.
The State Department declined to comment on the matter, citing confidentiality under U.S. law. However, officials familiar with the matter revealed that Treasury Department sanctions could accompany visa revocations, preventing affected individuals from doing business with US companies and freezing their financial assets.
This latest development marks a significant escalation of US pressure on Mexico in its fight against narcotics trafficking. The Trump administration has designated some of Mexico’s major cartels as terrorist organizations and explored the possibility of unilateral military action against them.
The review of drug-related corruption in Mexico was initiated by a small White House team, which requested information from security and intelligence agencies about Mexican politicians, government officials, and military personnel with alleged ties to criminal activity. The team is led by Deputy National Security Adviser Anthony Salisbury and overseen by Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
Former Mexican ambassador Arturo Sarukhán expressed concerns that new visa actions against prominent figures in Sheinbaum’s party could create new conflicts between the US and Mexico, particularly given the openly hostile tone Trump has frequently used towards Mexico. However, others argue that these measures are necessary to combat corruption in Mexico.
Sheinbaum has adopted a different tone on corruption, warning her followers about the dangers of cronyism, nepotism, and corruption. “All Morena members must conduct themselves with honesty, humility, and simplicity,” she said. “There can be no collusion with crime, neither organized nor white-collar.”
As tensions between the US and Mexico continue to rise, experts warn that these visa restrictions could have far-reaching consequences for both nations.
Source: El Pais
