**U.S. Policy Shift: Cartel Members Designated as Terrorists**
Stephen Miller, the Internal Security Advisor for the White House, declared on February 20, 2025, that the Trump Administration intends to treat every member of six identified Mexican cartels as terrorists. This initiative is part of an effort to diminish their capacity to inflict harm on the United States.
“Legally, every member of these organizations operating on U.S. soil is now considered a terrorist and will be treated accordingly,” stated Miller, who is also the Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, during a press conference.
This new policy marks a significant shift in U.S. strategy, where Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, alongside other law enforcement agencies, will now operate under a legal framework recognizing these cartels as terrorist entities.
The Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) list, managed by the U.S. Department of State since 1996, includes over 60 groups worldwide, such as Al Qaeda and Al-Shabaab. Mexican drug cartels are the first from North America to be listed. On February 19, 2025, the State Department categorized criminal groups from Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela as part of a presidential decree targeting these organizations.
The Mexican criminal organizations designated as terrorists include the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS), Los Zetas now known as the Cartel of the Northeast (CDN), the Gulf Cartel (CDG), Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), New Michoacan Family (NFM), and United Cartels (CU), all identified for their involvement in drug trafficking and human smuggling.
According to a notice sent to the Federal Register, these transnational criminal groups are considered a threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic interests. President Trump, on January 20, 2025, signed executive orders, including the declaration of these cartels as FTOs and declaring a national emergency at the Mexican border.
Marco Antonio Rubio GarcÃa announced in a statement that eight organizations now face FTO designation, providing law enforcement with additional tools to combat these threats. Moreover, the designation locks assets within the U.S. and prohibits American citizens from engaging in transactions with these entities.
**Further Developments: Global Reactions and Collaborative Efforts**
**Canada Labels Mexican Cartels as Terrorists**
In a move aligned with U.S. efforts, Canada has also declared several major Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations on February 20, 2025. This step reflects a growing international stance against transnational criminal activities. Canadian authorities emphasized the need to curb drug trafficking and reduce violence in North America.
**Strengthened Cross-Border Initiatives**
In response to these designations, law enforcement agencies in North America are stepping up collaborative efforts through shared intelligence and joint operations to dismantle these complex networks. These initiatives aim to protect citizens from the socio-economic impacts of organized crime, highlighting the importance of a unified approach in addressing global criminal challenges.
These comprehensive measures demonstrate a concerted effort to safeguard national security and ensure peace and stability within the Western Hemisphere.