People have wanted to do this for years, which is why they are now listed as foreign terrorist organizations. Mexico probably doesn’t want it, but we have to do it. They are killing our people.
Donald Trump, during the signing of the executive order.
The order, signed at the White House, designates international cartels and transnational organizations as threats to the national security of the United States. These entities will be classified as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terroristsin accordance with the Immigration Law and the National Emergency Economic Powers Law.
Mexican cartels, which are not mentioned by name, are the main target of the executive order, as the document warns that, in certain parts of Mexico, the cartels operate as “quasi-governmental” entities.
“The cartels functionally control, through a campaign of murder, terror, rape and brute force, nearly all illegal trafficking across the southern border of the United States,” the order reads.
“In certain parts of Mexico, they operate as quasi-governmental entities, controlling almost every aspect of society. The cartels’ activities threaten the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere.” , he adds.
The document, published on the White House website, highlights that these organizations operate inside and outside the United Statesemploying extreme violence and controlling illegal activities in key regions, including the southern border of that country.
The order establishes that government agencies, led by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, must coordinate efforts to identify, classify and neutralize these actors.
Within a period of 14 days, recommendations should be made for their formal designation as terrorist threats, along with operational actions to implement decisions that include the expulsion of related individuals. In addition, the use of special facilities is planned to facilitate this process and protect territorial security.
With this measure, which does mention other international organizations such as Tren de Aragua and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a national emergency is declared to face the risks posed by these organizations.
In February 2023, 21 prosecutors asked the Joe Biden government to declare the Mexican cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” in order to free up resources to confront the opioid crisis (especially fentanyl) that left more than 74,00 deaths that year.
On that occasion, the request was justified by pointing out that Mexican cartels, such as Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel They import raw materials from China to produce deadly synthetic opioids at low cost and traffic them across the southwest border and into communities.
In his speech this Monday, Trump said that, in addition to the Mexican cartels, the Aragua Train, from Venezuela, and the MS-13, from El Salvador.
What does it mean to name cartels as terrorists?
For Mexico, declare the cartels as terrorist organizations It would imply that the US government would admit that Mexico has not had the capacity to combat drug trafficking. In addition, the country’s perception of being unruly and insecure, according to Dr. Karla A. Valenzuela Moreno, Migration Studies researcher at the Universidad Iberoamericana, in an article published in 2023.
“In this way, the colonial thought that the United States can ‘bring order’ in Mexico would be reinforced, something that for many would not be crazy, if we put on the table the fact that some big Mexican bosses and high-level contributing officials, have been sentenced by US courts,” the analysis points out.
Beyond the social effect, the designation could have other consequences such as financial sanctions and criminalization of material support to these criminal organizations, which would translate into impacts on the communities in which they operate.
“A designation of this type could have significant consequences for Mexican civilians who live in areas controlled by designated drug trafficking organizations, making it difficult for civil society organizations and other service providers to interact with them,” according to an analysis by the International Crisis Group (ICG). .
Although this declaration would not authorize the use of the US military, it could be interpreted as a sign of intention to do so. “In this context, designating the cartels as ‘terrorist organizations’, while political leaders consider them to traffic in chemical weapons or weapons of mass destruction, pcould boost the idea that they are a legitimate target for military force“adds the organization.
Internal and national security
On the other hand, the Department of Justice will seek apply the death penalty in cases of heinous crimes, including the murder of law enforcement officers and violent acts committed by illegal immigrants that result in the deaths of American citizens.
These measures, according to the document, are part of a comprehensive strategy to protect the country’s communities.
It is also planned to involve the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, in border security tasks, arguing that these actions are fundamental to guarantee national security.
How is the designation of terrorist cartels made?
The designation of Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) is not new, but it is the first time it has gained strength and is about to be finalized through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The decision, which has legal and financial implications for the purpose of protecting national security, is a process that involves, in addition to the president, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury and the United States Congress.
