Johnson says cartel designations target financial networks

Reporting and context

U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson said Washington's designation of Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations is intended to target their international financial networks, rather than prepare bombing attacks in Mexico, according to El Financiero.

Speaking at the Milken Institute's Global Investors Symposium, Johnson said the designation provides additional legal and financial tools, including economic sanctions and measures against terrorism financing. He described cartel networks extending beyond Mexico into the United States, Europe, Asia and South America.

El Financiero reported that Johnson rejected military intervention as the purpose of the designation and argued that drug trafficking requires action across borders. His remarks framed the policy as a way to pursue the groups' financing and operations internationally.

Johnson also described bilateral security cooperation as being at one of its strongest points, while saying both governments could do more by openly recognizing their partnership and shared interests. He linked Mexico's security to the countries' trade relationship and shared border.

The ambassador recounted a conversation in which, he said, President Claudia Sheinbaum compared the relationship to a marriage in which divorce is impossible. He presented continued dialogue as essential to that relationship.

At the same event, Johnson questioned China's interests in Mexico. He alleged that Beijing would benefit from instability near the U.S. southern border and sought Mexican resources and access to its proximity to the United States. Those were the ambassador's characterizations of China's motives.

Original report — El Financiero