The Trump administration issued a historic designation targeting Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations on Thursday. This action marks the first use of counterterrorism tools against profit-driven drug syndicates traditionally classified as criminal enterprises.
Among the groups named are Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and El Salvador’s MS-13 gang. The designation freezes U.S.-based assets and enables prosecution of anyone providing material support. Federal officials confirmed the listing applies to entities facilitating:
- Drug trafficking operations
- Migrant smuggling networks
- Territorial expansion through violence
President Trump’s January 20 executive order paved the way for this policy shift.
We’re deploying every tool to protect American communities,stated a White House spokesperson.Critics argue the designation could paralyze legal trade with Mexico, where cartels influence industries from avocados to banking.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated her nation’s sovereignty last month:
We share security goals but reject external impositions,signaling potential diplomatic friction. Analysts warn the policy might inadvertently harm food imports by discouraging shipping companies from essential trade routes.
The administration defends the measure as necessary to combat cartels’ transnational operations that now reportedly generate over $50 billion annually. Banking analysts predict stricter financial oversight for transactions involving Mexican agricultural exports tied to cartel-controlled regions.