President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, potentially leading to a militarized approach towards the border and Latin America. The order specifically mentioned Mexican drug cartels and other criminal groups in Latin America, such as the Venezuela gang Tren de Aragua and Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), citing threats to the safety of the American people and the stability of the Western Hemisphere.
The order did not name specific groups but indicated that Cabinet secretaries would recommend organizations for terrorist designation within the next 14 days. This action was part of a series of orders signed by Trump at the beginning of his administration.
The order highlighted the violence and terror spread by cartels throughout the Western Hemisphere, leading to destabilization of countries and the influx of drugs, criminals, and gangs into the United States. Concerns were raised about potential implications for individuals from countries where these groups operate seeking entry into the U.S.
Experts suggested that the terrorist designation could have significant impacts on trade and migration, particularly affecting asylum seekers passing through regions controlled by cartels. The order might enable the U.S. to seize assets, impose sanctions, and restrict entry for members of designated groups.
Former DEA official Mike Vigil downplayed the potential impact on cartel operations, stating that existing anti-terrorism measures were already in place for counter-narcotics efforts. He emphasized that the order would not authorize military intervention in Mexico, as it is a sovereign nation.
The move comes amid escalating cartel violence in northern Mexico, triggered by internal conflicts within the Sinaloa cartel. Cartels have evolved their tactics, using advanced weaponry and expanding into various illicit trades, leading to increased casualties among Mexican citizens caught in the crossfire.
Some families of cartel victims in Mexico hoped that the terrorist designation could bring attention to their quest for justice. Adrián LeBarón, who lost his daughter in a 2019 massacre, believed that the designation might pressure authorities to address the rampant violence in the country.
