“Socalj” for Borderland Beat
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The United States on Wednesday designated the gangs MS-13, Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel among other drug cartels as global terrorist organizations, according to a Federal Register notice.
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The notice lists the full organization names of each of the groups and aliases. It should be noted that a few use legacy aliases including the Guadalajara Cartel as part of the Sinaloa Cartel. Carteles Unidos and Cartel del Golfo list specific factions that do not include all of the current groups. Notably missing are any Tijuana/CAF groups and Juarez/La Linea groups.
- Tren de Aragua (also known as Aragua Train)
- Mara Salvatrucha (also known as MS-13)
- Cartel de Sinaloa (also known as Sinaloa Cartel, Mexican Federation, Guadalajara Cartel)
- Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (also known as New Generation Cartel of Jalisco, CJNG, Jalisco New Generation Cartel)
- Carteles Unidos (also known as United Cartels, Tepalcatepec Cartel, Cartel de Tepalcatepec, The Grandfather Cartel, Cartel del Abuelo, Cartel de Los Reyes)
- Cartel del Noreste (also known as CDN, Northeast Cartel, Los Zetas)
- Cartel del Golfo (also known as CDG, Gulf Cartel, Osiel Cardenas-Guillen Organization)
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana (also known as LNFM)
The Trump administration argues that the international connections and operations of the groups including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and violent pushes to extend their territory warrant the designation.
Critics of the move call it an unnecessarily broad and harsh one that could damage relations and paralyze trade with Latin America. Businesses, banks and buyers could fear possible U.S. prosecution if they knowingly or unknowingly have any transactions that touch the world of the cartels.
Such cartels permeate Mexico’s economy, dealing not only in drug trafficking and migrant smuggling but fighting for control of the multibillion-dollar avocado business.
Aid groups say some past U.S. designations of groups as foreign terrorist organizations have threatened overall food imports into countries, for example, by making shipping companies fearful that U.S. prosecutors may accuse them of directly or indirectly supporting the targeted groups.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s order last month that set up the new formal designation by saying Mexico would defend its sovereignty and independence while seeking coordination.
“We all want to fight the drug cartels,” Sheinbaum said. The U.S. “in their territory, us in our territory.”