In less than 30 days in office, Donald Trump has accomplished what Joe Biden failed to do in four years: he has officially declared some of the most violent cartels and transnational gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). This designation, executed through an executive order on his first day in office and carried out by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is a monumental shift in how the United States fights back against the ruthless organizations that have plagued the Western Hemisphere for decades.
Trump had been gearing up for this move since his very first day in office, when he signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing officials to evaluate whether cartels and transnational gangs should be classified as terrorist groups. That order laid the groundwork for today’s official designation, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s strategy against these organizations.
This move is not just symbolic. It has teeth—real consequences that will shake the very foundation of these criminal empires.
What This Designation Means for the Cartels and Gangs
The designation of these groups—Tren de Aragua, MS-13, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Carteles Unidos, the Gulf Cartel, and others—as terrorist organizations is a game changer in multiple ways.
- Severe Financial Sanctions: The FTO and SDGT labels immediately place these organizations under the most stringent financial restrictions available under U.S. law. Their assets in the U.S. will be frozen, and any financial institutions, businesses, or individuals found to be supporting them can face legal consequences. Unlike standard criminal organizations, which may be loosely targeted by anti-money laundering measures, these groups will now be completely cut off from any U.S.-based financial system. Banks, international corporations, and even foreign governments will have to be extremely cautious about any transactions that could be linked to these groups.
- Legal Power to Crack Down on Supporters: The designation makes it illegal for any U.S. citizen, company, or entity to provide any form of material support to these organizations. That extends far beyond financial transactions—it includes logistical support, recruitment, and even indirect aid. Those caught aiding or abetting these cartels in any capacity could face severe criminal penalties. This means that traffickers, enablers, and money launderers operating in the U.S. can be prosecuted under the same laws that have been used against Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
- Drone Strikes and Military Action: While no official statement has been made on the use of military force, the designation could legally pave the way for U.S. military intervention against these groups. Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, hinted at this reality by stating on X (formerly Twitter), “That means they’re eligible for drone strikes.” This could potentially escalate U.S. action against cartels in a way that was previously impossible under ordinary law enforcement measures.
- Expedited Deportations Under War Powers: The executive order explicitly calls for preparations to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which would allow for the rapid deportation of any non-citizens associated with these organizations without the usual drawn-out court proceedings. This is a dramatic shift from the Biden administration’s passive approach to criminal elements operating within U.S. borders. Rather than allowing violent cartel operatives to exploit asylum loopholes, the Trump administration is sending a clear message: if you are linked to these groups, you are not welcome in America.
Why Biden Failed and Trump Delivered
During Biden’s tenure, these criminal organizations expanded their reach significantly, not only within Latin America but inside the United States itself. According to reports, Tren de Aragua had established a presence in over a dozen U.S. states by late 2024. The Mexican cartels have all but controlled illegal border crossings, human smuggling, and the fentanyl trade—yet Biden refused to take decisive action.
Instead of cracking down, the Biden administration allowed open-border policies to fuel these groups’ expansion. Trump, however, wasted no time in using every available legal tool to fight back. His administration’s designation of these organizations as terrorists is the single most aggressive action ever taken against them.
Critics argue that this move may complicate diplomatic relations with Mexico and Latin America. However, these concerns are largely overblown. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged that cartels are a problem and emphasized that both nations should work to combat them. The reality is that Mexico has long lost control of large portions of its territory to these criminal organizations. It is in both countries’ best interests to eradicate them.
A Future of Strength and Security
For decades, these cartels have operated with impunity, treating law enforcement as a minor inconvenience rather than an existential threat. Trump’s bold action changes that equation entirely. By treating these groups as terrorist organizations rather than mere criminal enterprises, his administration has signaled that their reign of terror is coming to an end.
If Biden had shown even a fraction of this decisiveness, the U.S. wouldn’t be in the situation it is today. Instead, after just a month in office, Trump has set a precedent that no future administration can ignore. The American people deserve a country free from cartel-driven violence, human trafficking, and fentanyl poisoning. This is the first real step toward making that a reality.
Trump has proven once again that leadership isn’t about empty rhetoric—it’s about action. And in less than a month, he’s done what Biden refused to do in four years.
