The United States has listed multiple Latin American drug cartels as global terrorist organizations, including Venezuela's gang "Tren de Aragua," Mexico's "Sinaloa Cartel," and six other drug gangs originating from Latin America. This is part of President Trump's plan to combat organized crime groups in Mexico, claiming that this move will address America's fentanyl crisis.
Since Trump resumed office, the US military has intensified aerial surveillance of drug cartels along the US-Mexico border, and the CIA has increased drone flights over Mexico to hunt for fentanyl labs.
The Trump administration has strengthened its crackdown on domestic gang members and started deporting undocumented or criminal immigrants. On his first day back in the White House on January 20, Trump signed an executive order establishing a process for these initiatives, describing these drug cartels as "threats to national security beyond traditional criminal organizations." Expanding the terrorist list gives the US government more power to combat such groups.
● Trump Previously Proposed Bombing Drug Labs
Mexico is concerned that the US will use this as an excuse to target these drug lords on Mexican soil, with some Republican lawmakers consistently urging authorities to do so. In fact, Trump has already suggested bombing drug labs and reportedly discussed deploying special forces to assassinate drug cartel leaders.
Besides "Tren de Aragua" and "Sinaloa Cartel," the US government has designated as terrorist organizations the El Salvador-originated international crime group "MS-13," Mexico's "Gulf Cartel," "Jalisco New Generation Cartel," "Northeast Cartel," "New Michoacan Family," and "United Cartel."
US Secretary of State Rubio announced that members of these drug cartels have already or intend to pose threats to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States through acts of terrorism.
● US Southern Border Enters Emergency State
After taking office in January, Trump immediately declared a national emergency at the US southern border and vowed to deport millions of illegal immigrants.
He believes these drug cartels are importing large quantities of dangerous and illegal drugs into the US and are involved in extortion, human smuggling, and other violent crimes.
Trump has made border security a core issue for the 2024 presidential election, frequently using explosive language to label Venezuelan immigrants as violent criminals and accusing various countries of emptying their prisons by sending murderers and other criminals to the US.