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US blacklists Mexico drug cartels US blacklists Mexico drug cartels
(about 12 hours later)
The US government has placed three Mexican organisations on its list of suspected drug syndicates.The US government has placed three Mexican organisations on its list of suspected drug syndicates.
A day before President Barack Obama visits Mexico, his spokesman announced the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas and La Familia Michoacana had been listed.A day before President Barack Obama visits Mexico, his spokesman announced the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas and La Familia Michoacana had been listed.
The move aims to cut off access to US financial systems and block trade with US companies and individuals.The move aims to cut off access to US financial systems and block trade with US companies and individuals.
Mr Obama also appointed a senior official to stop drugs-related violence from Mexico crossing into the US.Mr Obama also appointed a senior official to stop drugs-related violence from Mexico crossing into the US.
Former federal prosecutor Alan Bersin has been made responsible for keeping the Mexican border safe and promoting commerce. href="#map"> See the Mexican cartels' main areas of influence Former federal prosecutor Alan Bersin has been made responsible for keeping the Mexican border safe and promoting commerce. href="#map">See the Mexican cartels' main areas of influence
Earlier, police in Colombia arrested that country's most wanted drug trafficker, Daniel Rendon Herrera - known as Don Mario - who is alleged to maintain a private army running large shipments of cocaine to the US.Earlier, police in Colombia arrested that country's most wanted drug trafficker, Daniel Rendon Herrera - known as Don Mario - who is alleged to maintain a private army running large shipments of cocaine to the US.
Attacks on cartelsAttacks on cartels
The president is to discuss the level of drug-related violence on border during his visit to Mexico on Thursday.The president is to discuss the level of drug-related violence on border during his visit to Mexico on Thursday.
Referring to the additions to the list, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the action underscored America's support for Mexican President Felipe Calderon's "courageous attack on the cartels and our attempts to attack the financial underpinnings of Mexico's cartels".Referring to the additions to the list, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the action underscored America's support for Mexican President Felipe Calderon's "courageous attack on the cartels and our attempts to attack the financial underpinnings of Mexico's cartels".
The list comes under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.The list comes under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
Under the act, the Treasury Department can block or seize assets under US jurisdiction from the cartels.Under the act, the Treasury Department can block or seize assets under US jurisdiction from the cartels.
To help fight the cartels, Mr Obama has promised to dispatch nearly 500 more federal agents to the border, along with X-ray machines and drug-sniffing dogs.To help fight the cartels, Mr Obama has promised to dispatch nearly 500 more federal agents to the border, along with X-ray machines and drug-sniffing dogs.
Some 8,000 people have died in Mexico the past two years, as drug gangs fight for territory amid government crackdowns.Some 8,000 people have died in Mexico the past two years, as drug gangs fight for territory amid government crackdowns.
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