US Declares Cartels Terrorist Organizations

THE NEWS

The United States officially designated eight Mexican drug cartels and transnational criminal groups as "foreign terrorist organizations" (FTOs) on February 19, 2025, under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

The move, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targets groups including the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), MS-13, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua for their roles in drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and cross-border violence.

This classification allows the U.S. to freeze assets, impose sanctions, and potentially deploy military force against these organizations. The decision fulfills a key Trump campaign promise to escalate pressure on cartels he accuses of fueling an “invasion” of drugs and crime across the U.S.-Mexico border.

TIMELINE

January 20, 2025: Trump Signs Executive Order

• On his first day in office, Trump issues Executive Order 14112, directing federal agencies to designate international cartels as FTOs. The order claims these groups pose an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security.

February 6, 2025: State Department Review

• Secretary Rubio finalizes the FTO list after consultations with the Treasury and Justice Departments. The designation cites cartels’ involvement in assassinations, drug trafficking, and territorial expansion.

February 19, 2025: Formal FTO Designation

The State Department names eight groups:

1. Sinaloa Cartel (Mexico)

1. Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Mexico)

1. MS-13 (El Salvador/U.S.)

1. Tren de Aragua (Venezuela)

1. Carteles Unidos (Mexico)

1. Northeast Cartel (Mexico)

1. Gulf Cartel (Mexico)

1. La Nueva Familia Michoacana (Mexico)

• The designation takes immediate effect, enabling sanctions and stricter law enforcement measures.

February 19, 2025: Mexican Government Responds

• President Claudia Sheinbaum asserts Mexico’s sovereignty, stating, “We will combat cartels on our terms,” while urging bilateral cooperation.

THE CARTELS

Sinaloa Cartel

Also known as Sinaloa Cartel, Mexican Federation and Guadalajara Cartel, the criminal group is likely Mexico's oldest, dating to the 1970s.

• The Sinaloa Cartel expanded in the 1990s and 2000s under leaders like Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel

The group, known as New Generation Cartel of Jalisco, CJNG and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was founded in Mexico in 2009.

• Jalisco distributes cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl in all 50 states, per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

MS-13

MS-13 originated in Los Angeles, California, in the 1980s in communities composed largely of refugees from El Salvador's civil war.

• Members who were deported spread the gang to El Salvador. where it grew quickly.

Tren de Aragua

Tren de Aragua, also known as Aragua Train, was founded around 2009 to 2010.

• The cartel is based in Venezuela and has a presence in the U.S., Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago.

Carteles Unidos and La Nueva Familia Michoacana

Carteles Unidos is known by several names, including United Cartels, Tepalcatepec Cartel, Cartel de Tepalcatepec, The Grandfather Cartel, Cartel del Abuelo and Cartel de Los Reyes.

• La Nueva Familia Michoacana, or LNFM, originated in 2011 in Mexico. It splintered into its own group after the original La Familia Michoacana lost power.

• Both groups produce synthetic drugs but are of a concern to the U.S. because of the threat they pose to avocado exports coming from the state of Michoacan, per AP.

Northeast Cartel

The group, known as CDN, Northeast Cartel and Los Zetas, was founded in Mexico in 2014.

• They are alleged to have operations in the U.S., Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia.

Gulf Cartel

Also known as CDG, Gulf Cartel and Osiel Cardenas-Guillen Organization, the group was founded in the 1930s in Mexico.

• The group has an international network and is alleged to be affiliated with crime groups in the U.S. and on other continents.

REACTIONS

President Donald Trump: “Designating these murderers as terrorists ensures we can cripple their finances and dismantle their networks.” He links the move to border security, calling cartels “the worst criminal invaders in history”.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Claims the cartels meet FTO criteria under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act due to their “terroristic actions threatening U.S. citizens”.

Elon Musk: Suggests on social media that FTO status makes cartels “eligible for drone strikes”.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum: Rejects unilateral U.S. actions but acknowledges shared responsibility: “We all want to defeat cartels—but without violating Mexico’s independence”.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Treasury Department is expected to freeze U.S.-held cartel assets and penalize entities transacting with designated groups. Banks worldwide may face compliance challenges.

The Pentagon could deploy surveillance drones or special forces to Mexico under counterterrorism mandates, though such actions require Mexican consent.