The U.S. government has officially classified eight Latin American crime organizations as “foreign terrorist organizations,” increasing pressure on cartels operating within its borders.
The decision follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20 and will be formally published in the Federal Register on Thursday.
The groups named in the designation include Tren de Aragua from Venezuela and MS-13 from El Salvador.
This label is usually reserved for extremist groups with political motives, such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State, but is now being applied to cartels known for drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and violent territorial expansion.
The Trump administration justified the move by pointing to the international operations and criminal activities of these groups.
However, critics argued that the decision could harm relations with Latin American countries and create risks for businesses and banks involved in trade, as they may fear legal consequences if they unknowingly deal with cartel-linked entities.
In Mexico, these cartels are deeply embedded in various industries, including the lucrative avocado trade.
Aid organizations warned that such designations could disrupt food imports by making shipping companies wary of U.S. legal action.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by affirming the country’s sovereignty while expressing willingness to cooperate in the fight against cartels. She stated that both nations should address the issue within their respective territories.