Official U.S. government policy announcements or credible news reports

Trump Designates Mexican Cartels, Tren de Aragua, and MS-13 as Terrorist Organizations Amid Fentanyl Crisis

Jan 21, 2025, 12:59 AM

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This move, announced on his first day in office, targets Mexican drug cartels and other Latin American criminal groups such as the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). The order aims to address the threat these groups pose to the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere. Trump stated that the cartels are responsible for the deaths of 253,000 Americans annually due to the fentanyl crisis, with estimates suggesting the number could be as high as 300,000. The order does not list specific groups by name but indicates that Cabinet secretaries will recommend groups for designation within the next 14 days. Trump also hinted at the possibility of military intervention in Mexico to combat these cartels, a suggestion that has been met with strong opposition from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who emphasized Mexico's sovereignty and independence.