The Trump Administration’s Bold Move Against Drug Cartels
The Trump administration is taking its fight against violent drug cartels to a whole new level, officially designating eight of the most notorious cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). This move, published in the Federal Register and set to take effect on February 20, marks a major escalation in U.S. efforts to combat cartel violence and the fentanyl crisis.
- Tren de Aragua
- MS-13
- Sinaloa Cartel
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
- United Cartels
- Gulf Cartel
- Northeast Cartel
- Michoacán Family
This bold action, made in consultation with Attorney General and Treasury Department officials, treats cartel violence as a direct national security threat. President Trump, who has long vowed to take aggressive action against cartel operations, is now delivering on that promise.
By designating these cartels as FTOs, the U.S. government now has expanded legal authority to:
- Freeze cartel assets
- Prosecute individuals and organizations that provide support
- Restrict travel and impose visa bans on known members
- Increase intelligence and military operations targeting cartel networks
This designation treats these Mexican and Central American cartels on the same level as ISIS or al-Qaeda, allowing the U.S. to take far more aggressive measures to dismantle them.
For decades, drug cartels have been treated primarily as criminal organizations, but this move changes the game. By recognizing them as terrorist organizations, Trump’s administration can deploy counterterrorism resources, strengthen cross-border intelligence-sharing, and expand U.S. military involvement in targeting cartel leadership.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the designation order under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Rubio’s office stated that cartels engage in extreme violence, corruption, and directly threaten U.S. national security.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded carefully, affirming that Mexico will maintain its sovereignty but acknowledged the need for bilateral cooperation. She stated, “We all want to fight the drug cartels—the U.S. in their territory, us in our territory.”
The history of these cartels is steeped in bloodshed. From small smuggling rings to multibillion-dollar empires controlling entire towns with fear tactics—these are not just criminals; they’re warlords waging battles right at our doorstep.
This designation is just the beginning of a massive crackdown—one that Washington insiders and Mexico’s leadership will be watching very closely.
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