Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Mexico this week. Topics on the agenda include dismantling the cartels, halting fentanyl trafficking, ending illegal migration, reducing the trade deficit and countering malign extracontinental actors.

But although not mentioned by name, China is the main and most powerful extracontinental actor in Mexico.

Criminals from China have been involved in Mexican money laundering. A report from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network states that, Chinese money laundering networks were involved in the handling of $312 billion between 2020 and 2024.

Chinese money laundering networks are global and pervasive. Andrea Gacki, director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, said networks launder proceeds for Mexico-based drug cartels and are involved in other significant underground money movement schemes within the U.S. and around the world.

Beijing has also been criticized for the export of chemical components used in fentanyl production in Mexico. Last July,

© The Hill