US Labels Eight Latin American Gangs “Global Terrorists”
The United States has officially labeled eight Latin American gangs and drug cartels as “global terrorist organizations.” They are Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, Carteles Unidos, Cartel de Noreste, Cartel del Golfo, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana. US authorities allege these groups have committed or might commit terrorist acts posing dangers to US citizens’ safety and national security. Experts opine, however, that these groups are mostly driven by business and not by political interests typical of traditional terrorist organizations. The US already uses tactics like surveillance, sanctions, and prosecutions against such groups, so this designation will not necessarily be a game-changer. But it has the potential to be used to justify actions against migrants or to further tighten immigration policy, as many migrants are coerced by such criminal groups. The action follows increased criticism of the Trump administration’s response to immigration and crime.
