*In response to the U.S. agency’s claims, Mexico’s position is one of no cover-ups, but action will only be taken based on evidence, not allegations.
By Once Noticias. Mexican Press Agency.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that, as of now, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (USDT) has not provided any evidence indicating laundering by three financial companies in Mexico, as it recently alleged.
The President explained that a few weeks ago, the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) and the Ministry of Finance received confidential information from the USDT and FinCEN — the U.S. counterpart to the UIF — regarding three Mexican financial institutions:
• CIBanco SA, Multiple Banking Institution (CIBanco)
• Intercam Banco SA, Multiple Banking Institution (Intercam)
• Vector Casa de Bolsa, SA de CV (Vector)
“In the Treasury Department’s statement, there was no detailed information explaining why they believed these financial institutions were engaged in money laundering,” the President noted.
In response, the Mexican government requested more information from the Treasury Department, since the statement only mentioned transfers between Chinese companies and legally established Mexican companies.
“The Treasury Department must provide the evidence — if they have it — so we can support them in the process. If there’s no evidence, then we cannot acknowledge any money laundering,” Sheinbaum emphasized during her morning press conference.
She reiterated that citing financial transfers between legally established Chinese institutions and Mexican companies is not, in itself, proof of money laundering. These transactions are part of the thousands of financial movements that occur daily, as trade with China amounts to US$139 billion.
“We’re neither denying nor accepting it — there is simply no evidence. If there is evidence from UIF’s own investigation or from the Banking and Securities Commission that money laundering occurred, action will be taken,” she stated.
The President concluded that Mexico’s stance is clear: there will be no cover-ups, but actions must be based on proof. “We will not shield anyone. There is no impunity, but it must be demonstrated that money laundering actually took place,” she said.
In this context, the Ministry of Finance issued a statement asserting that if conclusive evidence of illicit activity by any of the three financial institutions emerges, legal action will be taken with the full force of the law. However, to date, no such evidence has been presented.
“The directive from the President is to act with transparency, to cover-up no one and nothing, and to proceed according to the rule of law — but only when there is solid evidence of any administrative anomaly or alleged crime,” the Ministry said in its statement.
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