The United States has officially designated Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and six prominent Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This move marks a significant step in the country's efforts to combat organized crime and terrorism linked to these groups. The decision underscores the severity of their activities both domestically and internationally, with implications for law enforcement and diplomatic relations.
The notorious MS-13 gang, known for its brutal tactics, was founded in the 1980s in Los Angeles by Salvadoran immigrants. Over the years, it has become infamous for its deep-rooted presence in the United States and its extensive network. The gang's expansion into El Salvador was fueled by the deportation of members from the US in the 1990s, which led to a surge in gang activity in the region. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has made curbing violence from gangs like MS-13 a priority, with nearly 1% of the country's population arrested as part of his crackdown.
Meanwhile, the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful criminal groups, operates with a complex structure involving four different components. Despite lacking a single formal leader, its international reach is unmatched by any other Mexican cartel. The Sinaloa Cartel is deeply involved in extortion rackets, weapons trading, prostitution, and oil theft, alongside its notorious drug business. Formerly led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, it continues to wield significant influence across the globe.
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland described the Sinaloa Cartel as the "largest, most violent, and most prolific fentanyl trafficking operation in the world." The cartel's activities have had far-reaching impacts on communities and economies across North and Central America.
The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), led by Nemesio Oseguero Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, has rapidly expanded its operations through a franchise business model. This approach has enabled CJNG to control key narcotrafficking routes quickly. The Cartel del Golfo (CDG), based in Matamoros, Mexico, gained notoriety for kidnapping four American tourists in 2023.
La Nueva Familia Michoacana, led by José Alfredo and Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga, maintains a stronghold in Michoacán, Guerrero, and the state of Mexico. Cárteles Unidos, formed in 2019, is an alliance aiming to combat CJNG's influence in Michoacán. These alliances highlight the complex web of rivalries and power struggles within Mexico's criminal underworld.
Tren de Aragua began as a prison gang in Venezuela and has since expanded into human smuggling and other illicit activities targeting migrants. Will Freeman emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue, stating that "cracking down on Tren de Aragua is part and parcel of cracking down on the era of mass migration." The group's operations illustrate how criminal organizations exploit vulnerable populations for profit.
Former Colombian police chief Óscar Naranjo labeled CJNG as "the most disruptive criminal organization operating nowadays in Latin America," underscoring its significant impact on regional stability and security.
In recent years, social media platforms like Facebook have become invaluable tools for these organizations to facilitate their illegal ventures. A Homeland Security report highlights this trend, noting that human smuggling has been added to their list of illicit money-making operations.
The Justice Department's indictment accuses these groups of "using terroristic violence to control large swaths of Northern Mexico, including along the border between Mexico and the United States." This violence poses a direct threat to both national security and regional stability.
