US Treasury sanctions two Guatemalan drug groups supporting Mexican cartels

The United States sanctioned two Guatemalan drug trafficking organizations that support major Mexican cartels, targeting groups that handle narcotics storage, protection and cross-border transport.

In its “Treasury Sanctions Guatemalan Drug Trafficking Organizations Supporting Mexican Narco-Terrorist Cartels” report published on November 13, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury said its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Los Mendoza DTO and Los Huistas DTO. Los Mendoza was sanctioned for supporting the Sinaloa Cartel, while Los Huistas was designated for providing material support to both Sinaloa and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).

According to Treasury, the organizations control strategic trafficking corridors along Guatemala’s borders with Honduras and Mexico. They receive, store and protect narcotics shipments destined for the United States and other international markets, helping Mexican cartels move drugs into Mexico for onward distribution. OFAC said the sanctions target key links in supply chains carrying fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.

Treasury described Los Mendoza as a family-based criminal organization founded in the 1980s. It supports Sinaloa’s transport operations across Guatemala and Honduras through access to border crossings and clandestine airstrips, as well as storage facilities and local protection networks in San Marcos, Huehuetenango and Peten. Los Huistas, active since the 1990s, serves as a key intermediary in the cocaine supply chain running from South America through Mexico to the United States.

Los Huistas has used longstanding relationships with local businesspeople, law enforcement officials and politicians to dominate criminal activity in parts of northwestern Guatemala, Treasury said. Those relationships have provided political influence and institutional access that help sustain its operations and shield it from law enforcement. OFAC previously designated the group on March 18, 2022, under an executive order targeting the international proliferation of illicit drugs.

The designations block the organizations’ property and interests in property in the United States or held or controlled by US persons. Entities owned directly or indirectly, individually or collectively, 50% or more by blocked persons are also subject to the restrictions. Unless licensed or exempt, transactions involving blocked property by US persons or within the United States are generally prohibited. Foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct or facilitate significant transactions for persons designated under the relevant authority may also face secondary sanctions, including prohibitions or strict conditions on US correspondent or payable-through accounts.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action highlighted connections between politically influential Guatemalan criminal groups and Mexican organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations. He said Treasury would continue pursuing networks that help Sinaloa and CJNG move drugs across US borders and threaten public safety.