In addition to the Mexican cartels, they also declare the Tren de Aragua, from Venezuela, and the MS-13, from El Salvador, as terrorist organizations.
“It could happen. Strange things can happen,” Trump told reporters who questioned him about whether he would send troops to Mexican territory.
Within the United States, the declaration means that longer prison sentences (including life sentences) can be imposed on those who deliberately provide material support or resources to cartels, according to expert Carlos Rubio of Integralia.
Likewise, US financial institutions that own or control the economic resources of a terrorist organization “must retain them and notify the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury,” it states.
After Trump’s signature, the United States Department of Justice could order the extraterritorial search for members of the cartels.
The designation of organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Northeast Cartel and the Gulf Cartel, among others, could also facilitate covert operations by US special forces in Mexico.
Trump has even considered the possibility of using drones to attack strategic points used by criminal groups.
Mexican authorities have ruled out that the Mexican cartels are terrorists. However, members of Trump’s Cabinet insist that they do commit terrorist acts.
-With information from the Reuters agency and Interregalia.
