Trump administration names Tren de Aragua, MS-13, Mexican cartels as foreign terrorists

The Trump administration recently made a significant move by designating several notorious gangs and cartels, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Sinaloa Cartel, as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this decision in a public notice set to be published in the Federal Register, citing a “sufficient factual basis” under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to designate eight groups as FTOs.

These eight groups, which include Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the Sinaloa Cartel, New Generation Cartel of Jalisco, United Cartels, Northeast Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM), pose a significant threat not only to the United States but also to other countries. Many of these groups operate under multiple aliases, making it challenging for law enforcement to track their activities.

This decision comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office, directing the State Department and other executive agencies to designate cartels and criminal groups as FTOs. The order specifically mentioned Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as groups that needed to be designated as terror organizations.

Rubio was given 14 days by Trump to make policy recommendations in consultation with the secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security, as well as the U.S. attorney general and director of national intelligence. This designation allows the government to enhance its efforts to crack down on criminal groups operating within the U.S., giving agencies like the Department of the Treasury broader authority to target these groups.

The Trump administration views these groups as posing an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to national security, foreign policy, and the economy of the United States. By invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEP), the administration aims to deal with these threats effectively.

Joseph Humire, executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society, authored a report on dismantling Tren de Aragua in 2024. He explained that designating these groups as FTOs places them at the highest level of U.S. national security interest, allowing authorities to target their funding sources and any organizations supporting them.

Overall, the designation of these gangs and cartels as FTOs sends a clear message that the U.S. will not tolerate their presence and activities within its borders. The government is committed to protecting its citizens and maintaining national security by targeting these criminal organizations.

This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and terrorism, both domestically and internationally. It underscores the administration’s determination to address threats posed by these groups and protect the American people.

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