Staff Reports
A major shift in the U.S. approach to combatting the scourge of drug cartels is underway, and it’s none other than the Trump administration leading the charge. The latest move? Designating several of the most notorious criminal organizations— including MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Set to officially kick off on February 20, this designation sends a strong message that these organizations, known for their drug-fueled violence and mayhem, will be treated like the terrorists they are, similar to ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Trump Takes Major Action Against Drug Cartels, Elon Musk Weighs In: DETAILS https://t.co/dMrF289SQo pic.twitter.com/DKVYOQCMWD
— Lieutenant Colonel Reagan (@bobbyr75) February 20, 2025
The newly minted terrorist organizations include the likes of Tren de Aragua, the Gulf Cartel, and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. This decision is a joint effort involving the Attorney General and the Treasury Department, clearly demonstrating that the Biden-Harris ‘you-can’t-call-us-names’ era is behind us. Instead, the Trump administration is putting its foot down, signaling that cartel violence isn’t just a law enforcement issue—it’s a full-blown national security threat.
With Trump back in the White House, the administration has ramped up its commitment to tackling the opioid crisis and the escalating border violence perpetrated by these criminals. This FTO designation comes with a toolkit of powerful measures—think frozen assets, legal repercussions for anyone aiding these groups, and travel restrictions for cartel members. It’s about time someone stepped up to treat these gangs like the international threats they really are.
Not stopping at simply calling them bad actors, the new strategy aims to dismantle cartel networks through enhanced military operations and intelligence-gathering prowess. If the days of merely “keeping an eye on them” are over, it’s a relief for those who have had enough of cartels wreaking havoc across the border. The legal groundwork for this designation comes straight from the Immigration and Nationality Act, with Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, making it crystal clear that escalating cartel violence is not something that can be ignored.
In the face of this sweeping initiative, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum tried to play it cool, touting her country’s independence while subtly suggesting that cooperation is key. While she certainly doesn’t want the U.S. stepping on toes, the reality remains: both nations are in this messy drug war together. No amount of “we’ll handle it ourselves” can fix the fact that drug cartels have solidified their stronghold over vast territories and continue to pull in huge profits through drugs, human trafficking, and extortion.
The rise of these criminal organizations has roots stretching back to the mid-20th century when small-time operations evolved into sprawling drug trafficking empires. The violence spiked with attempts by earlier Mexican administrations to establish control, but with shifting alliances and rampant corruption, it seems cartels are as resilient as ever. The era of treating them as mere criminals is over, and now it’s time to take the fight to them—not just with words, but with action. If this designation does nothing else, it definitely sends a clear message that the gloves are off and it’s time to roll up sleeves in the war on drugs.
