In brief
This action marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government's approach towards organized crime, particularly in Latin America.
The Trump administration is poised to officially classify over half a dozen Latin American criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups, following an executive order intended to confront what officials describe as a significant national security challenge. U.S. officials familiar with the situation have indicated that the designation will be carried out by the State Department, and it is projected to affect eight groups, though the final list may still be adjusted before its public release.The executive order, signed by President Trump on January 20, characterizes these cartels as possessing threats that surpass those of conventional organized crime. It explicitly calls for the "total elimination" of these groups, allowing Secretary of State Marco Rubio a two-week timeframe to collaborate with other cabinet members on the designation process.According to the order, it targets various cartels, including Tren de Aragua from Venezuela and Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, a gang founded by Salvadoran expatriates in the U.S. Although MS-13 plays a relatively minor role in the international drug trade, its criminal activities have been concerning to U.S. authorities. In addition to these two organizations, it is expected that the designations will include Clan del Golfo from Colombia and five prominent Mexican cartels, namely the Sinaloa cartel, Jalisco New Generation cartel, Northeast cartel, Michoacán family, and United cartels.The ramifications of these designations are significant. By classifying these groups as foreign terrorist organizations or specially designated global terrorists, the U.S. can enforce extensive economic sanctions against them and any entities or individuals associated with them. This strategy seeks to dismantle the financial and logistical supports underpinning these criminal enterprises, potentially impacting the broader dynamics of drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.
