Mexican President Defends Sovereignty Amid US Money Laundering Allegations Against Financial Institutions

Mexico City, Mexico – President Claudia Sheinbaum today strongly defended Mexico's sovereignty following accusations from the U.S. Treasury Department against three private Mexican financial institutions for alleged money laundering. The president asserted that Mexico 'is not a piñata for anyone' and demanded respect for the nation's independence. The U.S. Treasury's central accusation targets Casa de Bolsa Vector, owned by Alfonso Romo, a former chief of staff to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, along with banks Intercam and Cibanco. These institutions are accused of facilitating transactions with Chinese companies that the U.S. alleges are involved in illicit activities. During her press conference, President Sheinbaum acknowledged that the U.S. government had informed Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit of these concerns weeks ago, as part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries. However, she emphasized that the transactions in question were conducted with 'legally constituted' Chinese companies and through Mexican financial institutions that are also legally established. Critics, including the Latinus anchor, questioned the president's strong nationalistic rhetoric, suggesting it might be a political maneuver to deflect attention or protect figures close to the administration. They pointed out that the combined assets of the three accused institutions are a minuscule fraction of Mexico's total banking sector, implying that the accusations do not represent a systemic issue for the entire Mexican financial system or government. The anchor suggested that the president's defensive stance puts López Obrador under suspicion of being a 'narco-president' due to the alleged links.