The Trump administration has officially classified eight crime organizations from Latin America as “foreign terrorist organizations,” intensifying its efforts against cartels that operate within the United States and those who support them.
This designation, which stems from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, includes groups such as Tren de Aragua from Venezuela and MS-13 from El Salvador. The formal announcement is set to be released in the Federal Register on Thursday, following a notification made on Wednesday.
Securing the U.S.-Mexico border remains a top priority for the Republican president, who has pledged to carry out large-scale deportations, deploy active-duty military personnel along the border, and negotiate agreements with certain countries to accommodate a greater influx of migrants. The planned publication in the Federal Register is expected imminently.
The use of the “foreign terrorist organization” label is notable as it is typically reserved for extremist groups like al-Qaida and ISIS that use violence for ideological purposes, unlike the primarily profit-driven crime networks represented by these Latin American organizations.
The administration is contending that the global networks and actions of these groups—encompassing drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent attempts to seize control over territories—justify such categorization. However, critics argue that this sweeping designation could unnecessarily strain diplomatic relations and hinder trade with nations in Latin America. Concern arises that businesses, banks, and consumers may fear repercussions from U.S. law enforcement for engaging with any financial transactions connected to these cartels, whether knowingly or not.
These cartels have a significant impact on Mexico’s economy, engaging in not only drug trade and human trafficking but also vying for dominance over the lucrative avocado industry, which is worth billions.
Non-profit organizations have cautioned that previous U.S. classifications of certain organizations as foreign terrorist entities have had negative consequences on essential food imports to affected nations. These situations have sometimes deterred shipping companies from engaging in trade, fearing they might be accused of inadvertently supporting the designated groups.
In response to Trump’s recent formal designation of these criminal organizations, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the need for Mexico to uphold its sovereignty and independence while pursuing collaborative efforts. She acknowledged the shared goal of combating drug cartels, stating, “We all want to fight the drug cartels,” emphasizing the necessity of both countries operating within their respective jurisdictions.
