In brief
The Trump administration is preparing to classify several Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations, following an executive order aimed at intensifying efforts against major drug cartels.
The Trump administration is advancing plans to label over half a dozen criminal syndicates from Latin America as foreign terrorist organizations, according to sources familiar with the situation. This decision comes in the wake of an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, which calls for a robust crackdown on influential drug cartels operating in the region. The State Department is expected to announce designations for eight groups, though the final list may vary before it goes public.The explicit goal articulated in the executive order is that these cartels "constitute a national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organized crime." The U.S. is resolved to achieve their "total elimination," signifying a significant policy shift that prioritizes these organizations in the fight against crime and drug trafficking.Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on his inaugural trip as part of the administration, engaged with officials in Latin America to discuss security and migration, excluding a visit to Mexico. He has been given a two-week deadline to finalize the listings, working alongside various cabinet members. These designations will enable the U.S. government to enforce comprehensive economic sanctions against these organizations, as well as individuals or entities associated with them.Among the major cartels that are anticipated to be designated are Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, alongside the Tren de Aragua from Venezuela and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a gang initially constituted by Salvadoran immigrants in the United States. Additional groups, including the Clan del Golfo from Colombia and five others from Mexico, are also on the list, as confirmed by U.S. officials speaking on the condition of anonymity. This concerted action reflects a further commitment by the Trump administration to enhance law enforcement measures against drug cartels and what is increasingly perceived as an expansive threat to U.S. national security.
