Cartels, Sanctions, and Terrorism Designations: A Practical Glossary

Miller & Chevalier and Sainz Abogados have released Cartels, Sanctions, and Terrorism Designations: A Practical Glossary, a February 2026 reference intended to help companies navigate expanding compliance exposure tied to cartel activity, terrorism designations, and cross-border enforcement in the United States and Mexico. 

The publication reflects enforcement shifts following Executive Order 14157, which prioritized the designation of cartels and related groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, triggering broader criminal, civil, and sanctions liability for entities providing material support or engaging in prohibited transactions. 

U.S. authorities have paired these designations with sanctions listings, criminal prosecutions, and anti-money-laundering actions—many focused on Mexico-linked actors—heightening exposure for companies operating in or transacting with the region. 

Organized as a binational reference, the glossary compiles more than 50 legal, regulatory, financial-crime, and colloquial terms drawn from U.S. and Mexican law, including concepts tied to the Antiterrorism Act, OFAC blocking sanctions, FinCEN authorities, Mexican anti-money-laundering rules, and common corruption or extortion practices.

The authors position the resource as a practical tool for corporate legal and compliance teams confronting evolving enforcement priorities and jurisdictional reach across both countries. 

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