- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Djokovic proves staying power as progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Hurricane Milton leaves at least 16 dead as Florida cleans up
- Britain face 'ultimate challenge' in America's Cup duel with New Zealand
- Lebanon calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- Nihon Hidankyo: Japan's A-bomb survivors awarded Nobel
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
- Tears, warnings after Japan atomic survivors group win Nobel
- 'Unspeakable horror': the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- Christian villagers 'trapped' in south Lebanon crossfire
- Sabalenka sets up Gauff showdown in Wuhan semis
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Kim Sei-young holds lead with late birdies at LPGA Shanghai
- Toulouse welcome Dupont 'boost' as Olympic star returns to Top 14
- Japanese atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize
- Deadly Israeli strike on Beirut likely targeted Hezbollah security chief
- Bangladesh Islamist chief backs crimes against humanity trial for ex-PM
- Everest climber's remains believed found after 100 years
- 20 Pakistan coal miners shot dead in attack
- Clashes on South China Sea, Ukraine dominate Asia summit
- Han Kang's books sell out in South Korea after Nobel win
- Zelensky meets Pope, Scholz as whirlwind Europe tour ends
- Hello Hallyu: why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe?
- UK economy rebounds in August in boost to new govt
- Voice of Japan's beloved robot cat 'Doraemon' dies
- Shanghai markets sink ahead of briefing on mixed day for Asia
- Investors, analysts eye bigger China stimulus at Saturday briefing
- 20 Pakistan coal miners shot dead in attack: police
- Blinken condemns China's 'increasingly dangerous' sea moves
- Toyota returns to Formula One as Haas partner
- EU chief says China must 'adapt its behaviour' to solve trade row
- Musk unveils robotaxi, pledges it 'before 2027'
- Lynx rally, stun Liberty in overtime in WNBA Finals opener
- Pogacar hunting 'perfect' season finale with Coppi's Il Lombardia record
- 'Soul of old Baghdad': city centre sees timid revival
- Kittle at the double as Niners hold off Seahawks
- At least 11 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared
- Yankees advance in MLB playoffs as Guardians stay alive
- Asian markets mixed after Wall St drop, Shanghai dips before briefing
- Automaker Stellantis says CEO will retire in 2026
- Musk's promised robotaxi unveil delayed
- Kamada says Japan can close in on World Cup place against Australia
- On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument
- Renewables revolt in Sardinia, Italy's coal-fired island
- Argentina held, Brazil leave it late in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- Obama blasts 'crazy' Trump in first rally for Harris
- 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, a plea in favour of world order?
US targets network for fentanyl import as Yellen visits Mexico
The United States is imposing sanctions on 15 Mexican individuals accused of involvement in importing fentanyl into the country, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Wednesday, as Washington seeks to further the fight against the deadly substance.
"Today, more people in the United States aged 18 to 49 die from fentanyl than from any other cause," Yellen told an event in Mexico City.
The latest sanctions take aim at 15 individuals and two entities affiliated with the Beltran Leyva Organization cartel, to disrupt the supply of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
They include Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe and Pedro Inzunza Noriega, who are among the group's leadership, Treasury said.
The cartel is one of the most powerful drug trafficking groups globally, and is "heavily involved in the transportation and distribution" of drugs like cocaine and fentanyl to the United States, Treasury added.
Yellen's trip comes after US President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledged last month to work together to tackle the fentanyl crisis.
China is also taking action against illicit suppliers in the industry, following talks between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Yellen said most precursor chemicals for illegally making the drug come from China and are synthesized in Mexico before the fentanyl is smuggled into the United States.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the actions, taken in coordination with Mexico, "underscore the need for continued international cooperation."
- Infrastructure needs -
Yellen met central bank governor Victoria Rodriguez Wednesday and hosted a discussion on illicit finance with financial institution representatives.
She also met Mexican business executives as Washington renews a push to shift supply chains towards its trusted partners.
While Yellen told a roundtable of executives that Mexico is "well-positioned" to gain from the move, dubbed "friend-shoring," she added that government efforts are also needed to attract investment.
She acknowledged on the sidelines of the trip that she has heard discussions and concerns about infrastructure, such as water and energy supplies, when it comes to investing in Mexico.
On expectations of future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, she said "markets anticipate future Fed moves based on their readings of incoming data."
This can be a "complement to monetary policy," she added, noting the Fed will act as it deems appropriate while the state of markets feeds into that.
On the trip, Yellen also is expected to discuss Mexico's investment regime, to ensure investment in the country "doesn't become a channel for threats to US national security."
She is due to meet President Lopez Obrador and Finance Minister Rogelio Ramirez de la O on Thursday.
O.Johnson--AMWN