In brief
In an effort to combat organized crime, the Trump administration is set to label several Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, enabling broader sanctions and international cooperation against these criminal entities.
The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to designate over six criminal groups originating from Latin America as foreign terrorist organizations, according to sources with inside knowledge. This decision, led by an executive order that President Trump signed on January 20, aims to tackle the increasing threat posed by these cartels, which the administration views as a national-security concern that extends beyond traditional organized crime.Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been given two weeks for this initiative, during which he will confer with other Cabinet members. The impending designation is expected to include groups such as the Sinaloa cartel and Jalisco New Generation cartel from Mexico, as well as the Clan del Golfo from Colombia and other organizations, although the list remains subject to change prior to its public release.The executive order also pointed out specific individuals and groups like Tren de Aragua and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a gang linked to Salvadoran immigrants in the United States, highlighting the widespread nature of the threats these cartels pose. The classifications under this initiative will allow the U.S. government to apply extensive economic sanctions against these criminal organizations and their affiliates, enhancing efforts to dismantle their operations.As these developments unfold, the administration emphasizes the importance of international collaboration to ensure the total elimination of these identified threats, marking a significant escalation in America's drug crisis response and security strategy.
