Back in February 2025, Executive Order 14157, designated cartels and other organizations as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. It stated that, …the Cartels have engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries with significant importance for our national interests but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals and vicious gangs…Cartels functionally control…nearly all illegal traffic across the southern border of the United States. In certain portions of Mexico, they function as quasi-governmental entities, controlling nearly all aspects of society.
This Executive Order fundamentally changed how our government can respond to the Cartels and any associated activities. This is primarily the reason behind the recent actions we’ve seen taking place in Venezuela. This may also have a direct impact on your institution’s AML/CFT program as a whole and your AML/CFT risk profile.
Kevin explains more in the video.
Published 2026/01/19