During his Senate confirmation hearing to become President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Rubio acknowledged that while this may be an imperfect tool due to the cartels being sophisticated criminal enterprises, it is crucial to recognize and address their terroristic nature.
Rubio emphasized the importance of not only targeting these groups but also working collaboratively with Mexican authorities to combat them. He highlighted that the cartels not only pose a threat to the United States but also undermine Mexican government, sovereignty, and the well-being of its people.
While Rubio did not rule out the use of military force against the cartels, he expressed a preference for a cooperative approach with Mexico. He stated that President Trump maintains flexibility in his options and does not publicly disclose his strategies.
Reports have surfaced indicating that Trump's administration is considering the designation of Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, a proposal that was previously discussed but not implemented during his first term in office.
