The United States government is formally designating eight Latin American organized crime groups that also operate in the U.S. to be “foreign terrorist organizations.” They are involved in drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and extend their territory through violence.
The Trump administration is applying a “terrorist” designation that’s normally reserved for groups like the Islamic State group or al-Qaida that use violence for political ends — not for money-focused crime rings such as the Latin American cartels. The aim is to increase pressure on the groups and anyone who the U.S. sees as aiding them. The designation will be published in Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register, according to a notice Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the eight Latin American drug cartels labeled as foreign terrorist organizations:
Sinaloa Cartel — Mexico
Jalisco New Generation CarteL
Gulf Cartel and Northeast Cartel — Mexico
La Nueva Familia Michoacana and United Cartels — Mexico
Tren de Aragua — Venezuela
Mara Salvatrucha — El Salvador (MS-13)
Here’s a look at the eight Latin American drug cartels labeled as foreign terrorist organizations: