State Dept. Plans Terrorist Designation for Latin American Cartels

The Trump administration is set to designate several Latin American criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations, following an executive order aimed at combating major drug cartels. This designation is expected to include groups like the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, along with MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Critics argue that labeling these cartels as terrorists could have profound legal and humanitarian implications, potentially criminalizing the actions of asylum seekers who may have had involuntary interactions with these groups. The policy raises concerns about the militarization of borders and the impact on migrant communities, as existing laws could deny asylum to those deemed to have provided 'material support' to these organizations. Additionally, the designations would expand the U.S. government's ability to impose sanctions and hold supporters of these groups accountable. Experts suggest this could lead to increased corporate prosecutions similar to past cases involving terror financing.