Trump Labels Latin American Cartels Terrorist Organizations: Fears of War and Reprisal
Eight Latin American drug cartels, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13, have been officially designated as “foreign terrorist organizations” by the Trump administration, a move announced Wednesday and to be published Thursday. This designation, enabled by a January 2020 executive order, utilizes a label typically reserved for politically motivated groups, but the administration justifies it based on the cartels’ transnational operations, including drug and human trafficking, and violent territorial expansion. Critics express concern that this broad label could negatively impact U.S.-Latin American relations and trade due to the potential for unintended legal repercussions for businesses. Mexico has affirmed its commitment to combating cartels within its own borders while maintaining its sovereignty.
John Q. Hosedrinker