Trump Team Targeting Mexican Drug Cartels "Discussing Terrorist Organization Designation"

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, and his team are reportedly discussing plans to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, according to foreign media reports. This revives a plan that was not realized during his first term in office.

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On the 8th (local time), CNN cited multiple sources reporting that discussions about designating the cartels as terrorist organizations are underway ahead of Trump’s return to the White House. A source explained, "It is unclear whether Trump will designate the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations on his first day in office," but added, "Discussions are ongoing about who to designate and when to take action."

Trump had already announced his intention to designate the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in November last year, shortly after the election, during an event held in Arizona. At that event, he threatened to deploy special forces to eliminate cartel leaders or bomb fentanyl (a narcotic painkiller) manufacturing facilities.

If designated as terrorist organizations, all transactions with U.S. companies or individuals would be prohibited. Those who assist these groups could also face sanctions. Currently, groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS), Boko Haram, and Hamas are designated as terrorist organizations in the U.S.

However, designating the Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations could destabilize relations with Mexico, one of the U.S.’s largest trading partners. CNN reported, quoting experts, that "Mexican cartels control most of the illegal drugs entering the U.S. and are involved in human trafficking," but also noted, "The U.S. already has sufficient tools to crack down on international criminal organizations. There are few additional resources provided by designating the cartels as terrorist organizations."

Previously, at the end of 2019 during his first term, Trump attempted to pursue this plan, but then-Mexican President Andr?s Manuel L?pez Obrador requested that the designation not be made, offering cooperation on drug trafficking issues, leading to the plan being put on hold. Even those with aggressive stances on the issue, such as then-U.S. Attorney General William Barr, could not ignore the complex relationship and realities with Mexico.

A source related to the recent ongoing discussions ahead of Trump’s inauguration on the 20th said, "The main purpose is to put pressure on the Mexican government." Voices calling for cartel crackdowns are also rising among Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. Republican Representative Tony Gonzalez, who supports the terrorist designation and has discussed it with Trump’s team, told CNN, "Some measures are already being implemented, but they are very fragmented and involve cumbersome procedures before reaching that stage," emphasizing, "It also sends a very clear message to the Mexican government that they must cooperate with us."

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s remark the previous day about renaming the Gulf of Mexico?which is surrounded by five Mexican states, five U.S. states, and Cuba?to the "American Gulf" (Gulf of America), suggesting, "How about changing the North American region to 'Mexico America'?" At a press conference that day, she also drew a line regarding Trump’s claim that Mexico is controlled by drug cartels, stating, "Mexico’s sovereignty belongs to its people."