President Trump’s recent executive order calls for the State Department to consider designating specific cartels, including Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and El Salvador's MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations. This classification could empower the administration with tools to implement economic sanctions, travel bans, and possibly military action within foreign territories. The expedited process, mandated to occur within 14 days, contrasts with the typical lengthy reviews for such designations. Historically, terrorist labels have been reserved for ideologically driven groups, highlighting a shift in focus toward financially motivated criminal organizations like drug cartels.
President Trump’s executive order aims to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, granting increased powers for economic and military response, amid rising cartel influence.
Mr. Trump emphasized that designating the gangs could allow the U.S. to disrupt their financial networks and impose tougher penalties, including potential military action if necessary.
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