SIP recognizes EL UNIVERSAL for series on businesses, crime, and money laundering

The Inter American Press Association (SIP) has honored EL UNIVERSAL's investigative unit with an honorable mention in its 2026 Excellence in Journalism Awards. The recognition was for the series "Companies, organized crime, and money laundering," which delved into the intricate financial operations of Mexican criminal organizations.

The award, presented in the Current News Coverage category, celebrated the work of a dedicated team including Miriam Ramírez for investigation, Silber Meza for editing, Alejandra Franco for data analysis and visualization, Daniela Guazo for data editing, Liliana Pedraza for illustration, Miguel Ángel Garnica for web design, and Valente Rosas for photography. The series itself comprised several in-depth reports, such as "The impunity spiral of money laundering by 'El Mayo' Zambada," "CJNG, a huge money laundering factory," and "US-sanctioned companies supply Sinaloa, Sonora, BCS governments... and 'Los Chapitos'."

Collectively, the investigative pieces demonstrated how Mexican cartels and their familial and business networks launder millions of dollars within Mexico's formal economy. Ramírez's investigation specifically examined the operations of major cartels, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the Sinaloa Cartel with its rival factions Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, and the Northeast Cartel (CDN).

María Lorente, president of the SIP Awards Committee and regional director for Latin America at Agence France-Presse (AFP), highlighted the exceptional quality of the submissions received this year. "The quality of the works presented this year was extraordinary and reflects the vitality, rigor, and innovative capacity of the best journalism being done in the Americas," she stated. Lorente added that these awards underscore the commitment of journalists and media outlets producing high-quality information in an increasingly challenging environment for journalism.

The official award ceremony is scheduled to take place during the SIP's 82nd Annual Assembly, from October 22 to 25, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia.