United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced two significant actions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and uphold U.S. laws. In the first move, Rubio highlighted decisive sanctions placed on a network of money launderers linked to the notorious Cartel de Sinaloa. These sanctions, implemented by the Trump administration, aim to sever financial lifelines that empower the cartel's illegal drug operations.

Rubio emphasized that cutting off these monetary flows would not only disrupt the cartel’s core capabilities but also help protect American lives. "These sanctions will safeguard the U.S. financial system, weaken the cartel's ability to get deadly drugs into the U.S., and protect American lives," Rubio stated. He noted that back in February, the Cartel de Sinaloa was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

In a separate but equally forceful policy action, Rubio announced that the U.S. State Department is revoking all visas currently held by South Sudanese passport holders. This decision, effective immediately, is a response to what the U.S. characterizes as the Transitional Government of South Sudan’s failure to cooperate with U.S. immigration and security standards.

“It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States,” said the Secretary of State. “Enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States.”

The State Department clarified that the visa revocation is subject to future review. Should South Sudan demonstrate full cooperation, these actions could be reconsidered. Until then, the U.S. maintains that decisive measures like these are essential to upholding national integrity and public trust.