The Trump Administration’s Plan to Designate Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The Trump administration has taken a significant step in its efforts to combat organized crime and protect national security by sending a list of over half a dozen drug cartels to Congress. These groups, which include notorious organizations like the Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, are set to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). This move is part of a broader strategy to crack down on criminal groups that have been terrorizing U.S. cities and undermining the nation’s safety and security. The list, which was confirmed by Fox News, also includes the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, known for its ties to the socialist regime of Nicolás Maduro. By designating these groups as FTOs, the administration aims to expand its legal and enforcement toolkit to disrupt their operations and diminish their threat to the United States.

What Designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations Means

Designating these drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations is a powerful move that elevates their status as threats to national security. This designation is not just symbolic; it carries real-world consequences for the groups and those who support them. Under U.S. law, FTO designation allows the government to freeze the assets of these organizations, prohibit financial transactions with them, and criminalize material support to their activities. It also sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate the criminal activities of these groups, whether they operate within or outside its borders.

The process of designating these groups as FTOs began with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office. This order directed the State Department and other executive agencies to take steps to identify and designate cartels and other criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations. The order specifically highlighted Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as priority groups that needed to be targeted. As part of this process, the State Department informed several congressional committees of its plans, marking an important step toward formal designation.

The Groups Targeted by the Trump Administration

The list of groups targeted by the Trump administration reads like a who’s who of some of the most dangerous criminal organizations operating in the Americas. Alongside MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, the list includes several Mexican cartels, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Los Zetas, the Gulf Cartel, Cartel Unidos, and "La Nueva Familia Michoacana." These groups are responsible for a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder. Their operations have had a direct impact on the United States, contributing to the country’s opioid crisis and violent crime in cities across the nation.

Tren de Aragua, also known as "TdA," has been of particular concern due to its ties to the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro. This group has been accused of using its connections to the Venezuelan government to expand its criminal empire, which includes drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism. Its presence in the United States has been linked to a surge in violent crime in several cities, making it a pressing target for U.S. law enforcement.

MS-13, a gang with roots in El Salvador, has also been a major focus of the administration’s efforts. Known for its brutal tactics and transnational reach, MS-13 has established a significant presence in the United States, where it has been involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crimes. Designating MS-13 as an FTO would allow U.S. authorities to take unprecedented steps to dismantle its operations and cut off its funding.

The International Implications of the Designations

The decision to designate these groups as foreign terrorist organizations has significant international implications. By taking this step, the Trump administration is sending a strong message to countries where these groups operate that the United States will no longer tolerate their activities. The designations are also likely to put pressure on foreign governments to take greater action against these organizations, as they will now be subject to U.S. sanctions and other measures.

For example, the inclusion of Tren de Aragua on the list highlights the administration’s concerns about the Venezuelan regime’s ties to criminal organizations. By targeting TdA, the United States is not only going after the group itself but also indirectly targeting the Maduro regime, which has been accused of using these groups to maintain its grip on power. This move could further strain relations between the United States and Venezuela, which have been tense for years due to differences over democracy, human rights, and economic policies.

In Mexico, the designations could lead to increased cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies. The Mexican government has long been a key partner in the U.S. effort to combat drug trafficking, but the relationship has sometimes been strained by differences over how to address the root causes of the problem. By designating these cartels as FTOs, the United States may be able to secure greater support from Mexico in dismantling their operations and bringing their leaders to justice.

The Potential Impact on U.S. National Security

The designation of these drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations has the potential to significantly enhance U.S. national security. By targeting these groups’ funding, disrupt their operations, and limit their ability to expand their influence, the United States can reduce the threat they pose to American citizens and interests.

One of the key advantages of the FTO designation is that it allows the U.S. government to use a wide range of tools to combat these groups. This includes not only financial sanctions but also increased surveillance, intelligence sharing, and law enforcement cooperation. The designation also makes it easier to prosecute individuals and organizations that provide support to these groups, whether through funding, logistical assistance, or other means.

The move is also likely to have a deterrent effect on other criminal organizations that might be considering expanding their operations into the United States. By showing that the U.S. government is willing to take tough action against these groups, the designations send a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated.

However, some experts have cautioned that designating these groups as FTOs is not a silver bullet. While it provides additional tools for combatting these organizations, it will still require sustained efforts from U.S. law enforcement and international partners to dismantle their networks and bring their leaders to justice. The administration will also need to carefully consider the potential unintended consequences of these designations, such as the possibility of driving these groups further underground or leading them to adopt more violent tactics in response.

Conclusion: A New Era in the Fight Against Organized Crime

The Trump administration’s decision to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations marks a significant shift in the U.S. approach to combatting organized crime. By elevating these groups to the status of FTOs, the administration is signaling its commitment to taking bold and decisive action to protect American citizens and interests.

The designations are part of a broader strategy to enhance U.S. national security by targeting the financial and operational networks of these groups. They also reflect the administration’s willingness to use all available tools to address the threats posed by these organizations, whether through law enforcement, diplomacy, or economic sanctions.

While the designations are an important step forward, their ultimate success will depend on the administration’s ability to implement them effectively and sustain its efforts over the long term. The fight against organized crime is a complex and ongoing challenge that requires coordination across multiple agencies and international borders. By taking this bold action, the Trump administration has set the stage for a new era in the fight against drug cartels and other criminal organizations that threaten the safety and security of the United States.