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Cartel violence in Sinaloa, Mexico, leaves 20 dead, including 4 decapitated bodies
Read full article: Cartel violence in Sinaloa, Mexico, leaves 20 dead, including 4 decapitated bodiesFour decapitated bodies have been found hanging from a bridge in Mexico's Sinaloa state, part of a surge of violence that claimed the lives of 20 people in less than a day.
NASCAR's Cup Series to debut In-Season Challenge as $1 million backdrop to points race for title
Read full article: NASCAR's Cup Series to debut In-Season Challenge as $1 million backdrop to points race for titleThe debut of NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge in Saturday night’s Cup Series race in Atlanta has generated differing opinions and expectations from drivers.
Hurricane Erick forms off Mexico’s Pacific coast and threatens to bring flooding and mudslides
Read full article: Hurricane Erick forms off Mexico’s Pacific coast and threatens to bring flooding and mudslidesHurricane Erick has swiftly intensified into a dangerous Category 3 major hurricane as it closes in on the southern coast of Mexico.
First face-to-face between the leaders of US and Mexico will have to wait
Read full article: First face-to-face between the leaders of US and Mexico will have to waitFor Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the bilateral meetings scheduled on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada were even more important than the summit itself.
Mexico's president calls for no ICE raids during Mexico-Dominican Republic soccer match
Read full article: Mexico's president calls for no ICE raids during Mexico-Dominican Republic soccer matchMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged U.S. officials on Friday not to target individuals attending a Gold Cup soccer match in Los Angeles between the Mexican national team and the Dominican Republic.
Mexican national soccer team changes hotels in Los Angeles because of safety concerns
Read full article: Mexican national soccer team changes hotels in Los Angeles because of safety concernsThe Mexican national soccer team will change hotels in Los Angeles ahead of their Gold Cup match on Saturday because of safety concerns amid the protests against immigration raids in the city.
Mexican police kill 4 gunmen, cross into Guatemala in dramatic border shootout
Read full article: Mexican police kill 4 gunmen, cross into Guatemala in dramatic border shootoutOfficials say Mexican state police killed four alleged gunmen near the border with Guatemala, then pursued more suspects into that country in three armored police vehicles.
Mexico's ruling party slated to control the newly elected Supreme Court, vote tallies show
Read full article: Mexico's ruling party slated to control the newly elected Supreme Court, vote tallies showPreliminary vote tallies from Mexico's first judicial elections indicate the ruling Morena party is headed toward control of the Supreme Court.
Cruz Azul beats the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 for the CONCACAF Champions Cup title
Read full article: Cruz Azul beats the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 for the CONCACAF Champions Cup titleÁngel Sepúlveda scored twice and Cruz Azul routed the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 on Sunday to win its seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Mexico's first judicial elections fuel confusion and disillusionment among voters
Read full article: Mexico's first judicial elections fuel confusion and disillusionment among votersMexico is holding its first ever judicial elections, which have sowed confusion among voters as they struggle to understand a process set to transform the country’s court system.
Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels US show, saying their visas were suspended by Trump administration
Read full article: Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels US show, saying their visas were suspended by Trump administrationThe popular Mexican regional music band Grupo Firme has announced that it's cancelling a performance in a music festival in California over the weekend after the Trump administration decided to suspend the musicians’ visas.
Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide wins Spain's Princess of Asturias Prize for the Arts
Read full article: Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide wins Spain's Princess of Asturias Prize for the ArtsMexican photographer Graciela Iturbide was awarded Spain’s 2025 Princess of Asturias Prize for the Arts.
Report: World's supply of critical minerals for clean energy is concentrated in fewer countries
Read full article: Report: World's supply of critical minerals for clean energy is concentrated in fewer countriesThe world’s supplies of critical minerals are increasingly concentrated in just a few countries, most notably China, leaving the global economy vulnerable to supply cutoffs.
New US ambassador to Mexico formally arrives at time of busy binational agenda
Read full article: New US ambassador to Mexico formally arrives at time of busy binational agendaA former U.S. Army and CIA officer has formally presented his credentials to Mexico’s president as the new United States ambassador to that country at a moment of increased U.S. pressure to fight the drug cartels and delicate trade negotiations.
Mexican security chief confirms cartel family members entered US in a deal with Trump administration
Read full article: Mexican security chief confirms cartel family members entered US in a deal with Trump administrationMexico’s government has confirmed reports that 17 family members of the son of a former cartel leader crossed into the United States.
Family of US-born child deported to Honduras drops lawsuit against Trump administration
Read full article: Family of US-born child deported to Honduras drops lawsuit against Trump administrationLawyers for the 2-year-old U.S. citizen who was deported with her mother to Honduras say that the family is lifting its lawsuit against the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mexico says US suspension of beef imports because of screwworm is unfair
Read full article: Mexico says US suspension of beef imports because of screwworm is unfairMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has described as “unfair” the decision by the Trump administration to suspend imports of Mexican beef cattle for 15 days due to the detection of screwworm in shipments.
Mexico's president says she rejected Trump's plan to send US troops across the border
Read full article: Mexico's president says she rejected Trump's plan to send US troops across the borderMexico's president has said that U.S. President Donald Trump proposed sending American troops into Mexico to help her administration fight drug trafficking but that she rejected it.
F1 signs 10-year extension with Miami Grand Prix that keeps race on calendar through 2041
Read full article: F1 signs 10-year extension with Miami Grand Prix that keeps race on calendar through 2041Formula 1 has announced a 10-year extension with the Miami Grand Prix that will ensure the event remains on the calendar through 2041.
A Mexican musician uses a contentious genre to sing of women imprisoned for killing their abusers
Read full article: A Mexican musician uses a contentious genre to sing of women imprisoned for killing their abusersA Mexican music icon is using a typically male genre to sing of women imprisoned for killing their abusers while defending themselves and to highlight the more complicated aspects of gender-based violence.
Legal group sues Costa Rica alleging the rights of 81 children deported by Trump were violated
Read full article: Legal group sues Costa Rica alleging the rights of 81 children deported by Trump were violatedA group of human rights lawyers is suing Costa Rica, alleging the Central American nation violated the rights of dozens of migrant children.
Trump's DHS revokes legal status for migrants who entered the US on Biden-era CBP One app
Read full article: Trump's DHS revokes legal status for migrants who entered the US on Biden-era CBP One appThe Department of Homeland Security is telling migrants who entered the country using an online app to leave the United States immediately.
Altar found in Guatemalan jungle evidence of mingling of Mayan and Teotihuacan cultures, experts say
Read full article: Altar found in Guatemalan jungle evidence of mingling of Mayan and Teotihuacan cultures, experts sayAn altar from the Teotihuacan culture, at the pre-Hispanic heart of what became Mexico, has been discovered in Tikal National Park in Guatemala, the center of Mayan culture, demonstrating the interaction between the two societies.
Mexico celebrates dodging latest US tariffs but feels the effects of global economic uncertainty
Read full article: Mexico celebrates dodging latest US tariffs but feels the effects of global economic uncertaintyMexico is celebrating having dodged the latest round of tariffs from the White House taking aim at dozens of U.S. trading partners around the world.
Mexico's security chief quietly forms an elite force to take on the drug cartels
Read full article: Mexico's security chief quietly forms an elite force to take on the drug cartelsSix years ago Mexico’s president disbanded the country’s Federal Police and handed security responsibilities fully to the military.
US sanctions Sinaloa Cartel associates for alleged money laundering
Read full article: US sanctions Sinaloa Cartel associates for alleged money launderingThe U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned six people and seven companies it said were involved in money laundering for factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Mexico bans junk food sales in schools in its latest salvo against child obesity
Read full article: Mexico bans junk food sales in schools in its latest salvo against child obesityMexico says a government-sponsored junk food ban in schools has taken effect as the country tries to tackle one of the world’s worst obesity and diabetes epidemics.
Noem ends her first visit to Latin America in Mexico to discuss crime and migration
Read full article: Noem ends her first visit to Latin America in Mexico to discuss crime and migrationU.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has landed in Mexico to cap off a tour to three Latin American nations to discuss immigration, crime and deportation.
NY county clerk refuses to file Texas’ fine for doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills
Read full article: NY county clerk refuses to file Texas’ fine for doctor accused of prescribing abortion pillsA Texas judge last month ordered Dr. Margaret Carpenter, who practices north of New York City, to pay the penalty for allegedly breaking that state’s law by prescribing abortion medication via telemedicine.
Tens of thousands of Mexicans rally with president to celebrate US decision to delay tariffs
Read full article: Tens of thousands of Mexicans rally with president to celebrate US decision to delay tariffsTens of thousands of people have packed into Mexico’s City main plaza to celebrate with President Claudia Sheinbaum a decision by the U.S. to postpone tariffs on many of the country’s goods.
Mexican finance minister, a holdover from previous administration, resigns and is replaced by deputy
Read full article: Mexican finance minister, a holdover from previous administration, resigns and is replaced by deputyMexican Finance Secretary Rogelio Ramírez de la O, a holdover from the previous administration, has resigned for personal reasons and will be replaced by his deputy.
In Mexico City, this German organist says music is a gift from God and the organ's sound is proof
Read full article: In Mexico City, this German organist says music is a gift from God and the organ's sound is proofBeing an organist might seem like a solitary job, but German maestro Leo Krämer never feels too far from his listeners.
Two Oscar-winning films shed light on the thousands of disappeared people in Latin America
Read full article: Two Oscar-winning films shed light on the thousands of disappeared people in Latin AmericaTwo visions of the trauma of disappeared people in Latin America had a central role at Sunday's Academy Awards.
Mexico makes case to avoid US tariffs, but Trump says they will take effect on Tuesday
Read full article: Mexico makes case to avoid US tariffs, but Trump says they will take effect on TuesdayMexico President Claudia Sheinbaum says that her administration is waiting to see if U.S. President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican imports.
NASCAR stars enjoy immersive Mexico City visit ahead of first international Cup Series race
Read full article: NASCAR stars enjoy immersive Mexico City visit ahead of first international Cup Series raceDaniel Suarez led a quartet of NASCAR stars through the streets of Mexico City in search of a nightcap following a full day of showcasing his native country to his fellow competitors.
Mexico president says her government requested US surveillance drone flights
Read full article: Mexico president says her government requested US surveillance drone flightsMexico President Claudia Sheinbaum says surveillance drone flights by the U.S. government over Mexico are occurring in collaboration with and at the request of her government.
Tongolele, iconic dancer of the golden era of Mexican cinema, dies at 93
Read full article: Tongolele, iconic dancer of the golden era of Mexican cinema, dies at 93Tongolele, the iconic American dancer who transformed the nightlife scene in mid-20th century Mexico City with her hip movements to the sound of drums, has died at the age of 93.
Mexico awaits new response from Google on dispute over Gulf of Mexico name before filing lawsuit
Read full article: Mexico awaits new response from Google on dispute over Gulf of Mexico name before filing lawsuitMexico says it’s awaiting a new response from Google to its request that the tech company fully restore the name Gulf of Mexico to its Google Maps service before filing a lawsuit.
Bristling at 'Gulf of Mexico' name change on maps, Mexico says it might sue Google
Read full article: Bristling at 'Gulf of Mexico' name change on maps, Mexico says it might sue GoogleMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government is not ruling out filing a civil lawsuit against Google if it maintains its stance of calling the stretch of sea between northeastern Mexico and the southeastern United States the “Gulf of America.”.
With doors closed to the US, asylum-seekers turn to their Plan B: A new life in Mexico
Read full article: With doors closed to the US, asylum-seekers turn to their Plan B: A new life in MexicoAfter President Donald Trump effectively slammed the door on asylum-seekers crossing the U.S. southern border when he took office in January, many are recalibrating their plans.
FBI says it found 2,400 new JFK assassination records
Read full article: FBI says it found 2,400 new JFK assassination recordsThe FBI says it's discovered 2,400 records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as federal agencies work to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to release thousands of classified files.
Ecuador's conservative president announces tariffs on Mexican exports in an echo of Trump policy
Read full article: Ecuador's conservative president announces tariffs on Mexican exports in an echo of Trump policyEcuador’s conservative president says that he is raising tariffs on Mexican imports in a move that echoes the trade barriers that U.S. President Donald Trump has announced _ but then paused _ against Mexico.
What does Mexico really think of ‘Emilia Pérez?'
Read full article: What does Mexico really think of ‘Emilia Pérez?'It may have been embraced by the Academy, but just a day after its debut in Mexico, the acclaimed “narco-musical” Emilia Pérez was already drawing sharp rebukes for superficial portrayals of sensitive subjects.
Blessings for dogs? Bring them to Mexico City's cathedral and St. Anthony will do the rest
Read full article: Blessings for dogs? Bring them to Mexico City's cathedral and St. Anthony will do the restBehaving at their best, a dozen dogs attended Mass at Mexico City’s cathedral, waiting for their turn to de doused with holy water.
Border app that became 'a salvation' for migrants to legally enter the US may end
Read full article: Border app that became 'a salvation' for migrants to legally enter the US may endThe CBP One app has brought nearly 1 million people to the U.S. on two-year permits with eligibility to work since January 2023, but it could end under President-elect Donald Trump.
Mexico's President Sheinbaum offers sarcastic response to Trump's 'Gulf of America' comment
Read full article: Mexico's President Sheinbaum offers sarcastic response to Trump's 'Gulf of America' commentMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded sarcastically to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Departing U.S. ambassador to Mexico sees "major changes" under Trump in diplomatic relationship
Read full article: Departing U.S. ambassador to Mexico sees "major changes" under Trump in diplomatic relationshipThe outgoing U.S. ambassador to Mexico says he anticipates “major changes” in the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico during the incoming Trump administration.
Mexico tests cellphone app allowing migrants to send alert if they are about to be detained in US
Read full article: Mexico tests cellphone app allowing migrants to send alert if they are about to be detained in USMexico is developing a cellphone app that will allow migrants to warn relatives and consulates if they think they are about to be detained by U.S. immigration officials.
Notorious drug lord Osiel Cárdenas returned to Mexico after US sentence, is quickly re-arrested
Read full article: Notorious drug lord Osiel Cárdenas returned to Mexico after US sentence, is quickly re-arrestedNotorious drug lord Osiel Cárdenas has been returned to Mexico after serving a U.S. sentence and was quickly re-arrested and sent to a maximum security prison to face Mexican charges.
What is El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, and What Does it Mean to Houstonians?
Read full article: What is El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, and What Does it Mean to Houstonians?El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, celebrated annually on December 12, is one of the most significant religious and cultural observances in Mexico and among Mexican communities worldwide.
Cual es el Significado de El Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe y cual es el significado para los residentes de Houston?
Read full article: Cual es el Significado de El Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe y cual es el significado para los residentes de Houston?El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, celebrado cada año el 12 de diciembre, es una de las celebraciones religiosas y culturales más importantes en México y entre las comunidades mexicanas en todo el mundo. Este día honra a la Virgen María bajo su título de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, conmemorando sus apariciones milagrosas a San Juan Diego en 1531.
Mexican soldiers will get a pay raise after elimination of oversight agencies, president says
Read full article: Mexican soldiers will get a pay raise after elimination of oversight agencies, president saysMexico's president says much of the money gained by eliminating independent oversight and regulatory agencies will go to the army to fund a rise in soldiers’ pay.
Mexican president says she is confident that a tariff war with the US can be averted
Read full article: Mexican president says she is confident that a tariff war with the US can be avertedMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says she is confident that a tariff war with the United States can be averted.
Over 18,000 register to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judges in Mexico's new system
Read full article: Over 18,000 register to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judges in Mexico's new systemMore than 18,000 people have registered online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships in Mexico’s contentious new selection process.
Afraid of losing the US-Canada trade pact, Mexico alters its laws and removes Chinese parts
Read full article: Afraid of losing the US-Canada trade pact, Mexico alters its laws and removes Chinese partsMexico has been taking a bashing for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America.
Moody's downgrades Mexican government's outlook to 'negative' over weakening of judiciary and debt
Read full article: Moody's downgrades Mexican government's outlook to 'negative' over weakening of judiciary and debtMexico's president has lashed out at Moody’s ratings service after it downgraded the Mexican government’s debt outlook to “negative.”.
More than 1,000 mariachis belt out classics like 'Cielito Lindo' in a Mexico City plaza
Read full article: More than 1,000 mariachis belt out classics like 'Cielito Lindo' in a Mexico City plazaMore than a 1,000 mariachis have gathered in Mexico City’s main plaza, strumming guitars and singing classics like “Cielito Lindo” to end a mariachi congress celebrating the musical form.
Mexico's National Guard kills 2 Colombians and wounds 4 on a migrant smuggling route near the US
Read full article: Mexico's National Guard kills 2 Colombians and wounds 4 on a migrant smuggling route near the USMexico’s Defense Department claims the National Guard has killed two Colombians and wounded four others in a confrontation near the U.S. border.
Bam Adebayo scores 32 points to help the Heat beat the Wizards, 118-98 in Mexico City
Read full article: Bam Adebayo scores 32 points to help the Heat beat the Wizards, 118-98 in Mexico CityBam Adebayo scored 20 of his 32 points in the first half and the Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 118-98 on Saturday night in the 14th NBA regular-season game in Mexico.
A leader of Mexican folk saint cult 'La Santa Muerte' is killed at an altar to the skeletal figure
Read full article: A leader of Mexican folk saint cult 'La Santa Muerte' is killed at an altar to the skeletal figureAuthorities say a local leader of the Mexican folk saint cult “La Santa Muerte” has been gunned down at an altar to the skeletal figure.
Pets join Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, as Fido and Tiger get their own altars
Read full article: Pets join Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, as Fido and Tiger get their own altarsPets are not forgotten during Mexico’s famed Day of the Dead celebrations, when even Fido and Tiger get a place at the altars Mexican families set up to honor their deceased loved ones, complete with flowers, candles and photographs.
8 of 11 members of Mexico's Supreme Court to resign in protest of controversial judicial overhaul
Read full article: 8 of 11 members of Mexico's Supreme Court to resign in protest of controversial judicial overhaulEight justices of Mexico’s Supreme Court have said they will leave the court rather than stand for election as required by a controversial judicial overhaul passed last month.
Catholic bishops call for authorities to step up against violence in southern Mexico
Read full article: Catholic bishops call for authorities to step up against violence in southern MexicoFour Roman Catholic bishops in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero called Monday for civilian and military authorities to take steps to protect residents of a region rocked by violence that has left more than a dozen dead in recent days.
Pato O'Ward takes Mexico City by storm, proving the IndyCar driver can carry series in home country
Read full article: Pato O'Ward takes Mexico City by storm, proving the IndyCar driver can carry series in home countryIndyCar driver Pato O'Ward dazzled in Mexico City during the Formula 1 weekend and proved he's a big enough star to carry IndyCar into his native country for its own race.
Carlos Sainz Jr. puts Ferrari on the pole in Mexico City as Perez's miserable season continues
Read full article: Carlos Sainz Jr. puts Ferrari on the pole in Mexico City as Perez's miserable season continuesFerrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. won his first pole of the season at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Haas F1 reiterates team is not for sale after aligning with Toyota on technical partnership
Read full article: Haas F1 reiterates team is not for sale after aligning with Toyota on technical partnershipThe first-year team principal of Haas reiterated the Formula 1 team is not for sale even if new technical partner Toyota tried to buy the organization.
Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific Ocean
Read full article: Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific OceanForecasters say Hurricane Kristy has strengthened into a Category 4 storm and is expected to remain away from land as it churns in the Pacific Ocean.
In the heartland of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, the old ways have changed and violence rages
Read full article: In the heartland of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, the old ways have changed and violence ragesCellphone chats have become death sentences in the continuing, bloody factional war inside the Sinaloa drug cartel.
6 migrants shot dead near Guatemalan border when Mexican army troops open fire
Read full article: 6 migrants shot dead near Guatemalan border when Mexican army troops open fireMexican army troops opened fire on a truck carrying migrants from a half dozen countries, and six migrants from Egypt, Peru and El Salvador died in an event that President Claudia Sheinbaum called “deplorable.”.
6 migrants from Egypt, Peru and Honduras die near Guatemalan border after Mexican soldiers open fire
Read full article: 6 migrants from Egypt, Peru and Honduras die near Guatemalan border after Mexican soldiers open fireMexican army troops opened fire on a truck carrying migrants from a half dozen countries, and six migrants from Egypt, Peru and Honduras died in an event that President Claudia Sheinbaum called “deplorable.”.
Mexico's Sheinbaum keeps doing morning briefings, though her style is unlike her predecessor's
Read full article: Mexico's Sheinbaum keeps doing morning briefings, though her style is unlike her predecessor'sClaudia Sheinbaum has begun her presidency the same way her predecessor concluded his: with a morning media briefing known in Mexico as a mañanera from the National Palace.
A plane carrying Brazil President Lula lands safely at Mexico City airport after circling for hours
Read full article: A plane carrying Brazil President Lula lands safely at Mexico City airport after circling for hoursAn airplane carrying Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva back to Brasilia landed safely on Tuesday at Mexico City's Felipe Angeles airport after circling for hours due to a technical problem.
Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as 1st female president of Mexico
Read full article: Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as 1st female president of MexicoClaudia Sheinbaum has been sworn in as Mexico’s first female president, riding the enthusiasm over her predecessor’s social programs but also facing challenges that include stubbornly high levels of violence.
Who is Claudia Sheinbaum, the scientist who will head Mexico as its first female president?
Read full article: Who is Claudia Sheinbaum, the scientist who will head Mexico as its first female president?Claudia Sheinbaum is Mexico’s first female leader in the nation’s more than 200 years of independence.
Live music, breakfast and a raffle: Mexico's president makes the most of his final day in office
Read full article: Live music, breakfast and a raffle: Mexico's president makes the most of his final day in officeOutgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador turned his final morning briefing Monday into a variety show featuring live music, breakfast and a raffle to gift his watch to a journalist.
John as a tropical storm hits Mexico's Pacific coast a 2nd time
Read full article: John as a tropical storm hits Mexico's Pacific coast a 2nd timeTropical Storm John came ashore on Mexico’s Pacific Coast on Thursday, coming back to life for a second landfall after its previous deadly passage through the country earlier in the week.
Families of 43 missing students in Mexico are still demanding justice 10 years later
Read full article: Families of 43 missing students in Mexico are still demanding justice 10 years laterFamilies of the 43 students from a rural teacher’s college abducted 10 years ago in southern Mexico marked the painful anniversary Thursday disillusioned after a decade of unfulfilled government promises.
US to hand over pest inspections of Mexican avocados to Mexico and California growers aren't happy
Read full article: US to hand over pest inspections of Mexican avocados to Mexico and California growers aren't happyCalifornia avocado growers are fuming about a U.S. decision to hand over pest inspections of Mexican orchards to the Mexican government.
US Treasury sanctions a chain of ice cream shops and a pharmacy tied to the Sinaloa Cartel
Read full article: US Treasury sanctions a chain of ice cream shops and a pharmacy tied to the Sinaloa CartelThe U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a Mexican ice cream shop chain and a local pharmacy used as investments by drug traffickers.