Washington: In a significant move aimed at intensifying the fight against organized crime, John Hurley, the U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, is set to visit Mexico City on Thursday. During his visit, Hurley is expected to hold high-level discussions with Mexican government officials and key industry leaders, focusing on strategies to curb the financial operations of drug cartels and other illicit networks. This trip marks Hurley’s first international assignment since his Senate confirmation in July.

The visit comes on the heels of several aggressive U.S. measures targeting Mexico-based cartels. In June, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Mexican financial institutions CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa citing their alleged involvement in facilitating fentanyl-related transactions. These actions signal Washington’s determination to cut off the financial lifelines that enable cartels to expand their operations across borders.

Hurley’s agenda in Mexico City will also emphasize preventing cartels from accessing the U.S. financial system, a move intended to choke off illicit revenue streams. Prior to this international visit, Hurley conducted field assessments along the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego, engaging directly with law enforcement officers and Justice Department officials to understand the complexities of cross-border trafficking and money laundering.

This diplomatic and enforcement-focused initiative underscores the ongoing cooperation between the United States and Mexico in combating the growing threat of organized crime. Analysts suggest that Hurley’s visit could pave the way for more robust joint measures, including tighter financial monitoring, expanded sanctions, and enhanced intelligence sharing, all designed to disrupt cartel networks that have long destabilized communities on both sides of the border.

The U.S. Treasury’s engagement highlights Washington’s broader strategy of combining diplomatic dialogue with financial pressure to address the multifaceted challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations.