The US Designation of Gangs and Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations: A Comprehensive Overview
1. Introduction: A New Era in Counterterrorism
In a significant move to combat global criminal activity, the US has officially designated two gangs and six drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This decision, fulfilling a goal set during President Donald Trump’s first term, places these groups alongside notorious organizations like ISIS and Hamas. The designated groups include Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and six Mexican cartels: Sinaloa, Jalisco Nueva Generacion, Carteles Unidos, Cartel del Noreste, Cartel del Golfo, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana. This designation underscores the escalating threat these groups pose to global security and the US’s commitment to curbing their influence.
2. Tren de Aragua: The Rise of a Latin American Powerhouse
Originating as a prison gang in Venezuela, Tren de Aragua (TdA) has evolved into a major criminal force in Latin America, notorious for human smuggling and illicit activities targeting migrants. Its influence extends far beyond Venezuela, with experts like Óscar Naranjo highlighting TdA as the most disruptive criminal organization in the region. During Trump’s campaign, TdA became a political focal point, despite Aurora police describing its US presence as isolated. TdA’s rise symbolizes the complex challenges of migration and organized crime, making it a key target in the US’s anti-terrorism strategy.
3. MS-13: From LA Streets to Central American Crisis
Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, emerged in 1980s Los Angeles among Salvadoran immigrants and grew into a brutal transnational gang. Despite its US origins, MS-13’s impact in El Salvador was devastating, contributing to it becoming the murder capital of the Western Hemisphere. However, under President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown, MS-13’s power has waned in El Salvador. The group’s inclusion in the terrorist designation list is seen as unexpected, given its weakened state, yet it reflects ongoing concerns about its residual influence and violent legacy.
4. Sinaloa Cartel: The Legacy of El Chapo
The Sinaloa Cartel, once led by the infamous Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, remains a dominant force in global narcotics trafficking. After El Chapo’s extradition, his sons, known as "El Chapitos," now lead the cartel, which operates a vast empire encompassing drug trafficking, extortion, and oil theft. The US alleges Sinaloa is the largest fentanyl trafficker globally, making it a critical target in combating the opioid crisis. The cartel’s diversified operations and international reach highlight its enduring threat.
5. Gulf Cartel and Jalisco Nueva Generacion: Diverse Threats
The Gulf Cartel (CDG), based in Matamoros, Mexico, has a history dating back to Prohibition. Notably, CDG was involved in the 2023 kidnapping of American tourists, resulting in fatalities. In contrast, Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG), led by "El Mencho," has rapidly expanded using a franchise model. CJNG’s involvement in methamphetamine and fentanyl, with ties to Chinese suppliers, makes it a formidable player. These cartels exemplify the evolving nature of criminal enterprises, adapting strategies to maintain power and expand operations.
6. The Remaining Cartels: Fragmented yet Formidable
Carteles Unidos, formed in 2019, fights rival cartels while engaging in avocado extortion, a unique enterprise in Mexico’s lucrative export industry. Cartel del Noreste (CDN), operating in northeast Mexico, engages in terroristic violence and migrant smuggling, utilizing social media for operations. La Nueva Familia Michoacana, led by enigmatic figures, mixes criminal activities with religious influences, exemplified by its founder’s preachings. These groups, though varied in operations, collectively contribute to regional instability and global crime, necessitating concerted international action to mitigate their impact.
This designation marks a strategic shift in US counterterrorism efforts, acknowledging the global reach and complex operations of these criminal organizations. As the US and its allies navigate this new landscape, collaboration and innovation will be crucial in dismantling these threats and ensuring regional and global security.
