US Designates Latin American Cartels As Foreign Terrorist Organizations

A shop's windows are riddled with bullets near City Hall after a gun battle between a heavily armed drug cartel assault group and security forces in Villa Union, Mexico, near the border with th

The United States government has officially labeled eight Latin American organized crime groups as “foreign terrorist organizations” due to their involvement in drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and violent territorial expansion. This move by the Trump administration aims to increase pressure on these groups and their supporters, a designation typically reserved for politically motivated violent groups like the Islamic State or al-Qaida.

Sinaloa Cartel — Mexico

The Sinaloa Cartel, Mexico’s oldest criminal organization dating back to the 1970s, is a major player in drug trafficking. Known for its control of the U.S.-Mexico border, the cartel has diversified its operations to include the production and smuggling of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel — Mexico

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a hyper-violent group based in western Mexico, has gained notoriety for its aggressive attacks on Mexican authorities and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl across the United States.

Gulf Cartel and Northeast Cartel — Mexico

Jalisco New Generation Cartel: Violent group distributing drugs in the U.S.

Sinaloa Cartel: Oldest Mexican cartel, controls U.S.-Mexico border.

Gulf and Northeast Cartels: Operate along the eastern U.S.-Mexico border.

La Nueva Familia Michoacana and United Cartels: Involved in synthetic drug production and extortion.

Tren de Aragua: Venezuelan group involved in migrant smuggling and violence.

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13): Violent gang originating in Los Angeles, now in El Salvador.

Designations aim to combat illicit activities of Latin American crime groups.

Operating along the eastern U.S.-Mexico border, these cartels are key players in drug, immigrant, and weapon trafficking. The Gulf Cartel, once led by Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, has fragmented in recent years, while the Northeast Cartel is a remnant of the Zetas.

La Nueva Familia Michoacana and United Cartels — Mexico

These local criminal groups in west-central Mexico are involved in synthetic drug production and have disrupted the avocado trade in Michoacan through extortion and threats to growers.

Tren de Aragua — Venezuela

Originating from a Venezuelan prison, Tren de Aragua has expanded its criminal activities to include migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and extreme violence across the hemisphere, posing a threat in various U.S. cities.

Mara Salvatrucha — El Salvador

Also known as MS-13, this violent street gang originated in Los Angeles and has spread to El Salvador, where it has faced a crackdown by President Nayib Bukele's administration.

These designations highlight the growing threat posed by Latin American organized crime groups and the U.S. government's efforts to combat their illicit activities.