The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has officially designated several Latin American criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). Announced on February 13, 2025, this decision is part of a broader strategy to combat transnational organized crime and enhance national security. The list includes Tren de Aragua (Venezuela), Clan del Golfo (Colombia), MS-13 (El Salvador), and five Mexican cartels: Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Cartel del Noreste, La Familia Michoacana, and Cárteles Unidos. These groups have been involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and extreme violence across the region.

What Does the Terrorist Designation Mean?

By officially labeling these groups as terrorist organizations, the U.S. now has greater legal and financial tools to fight them:

1. Asset Freezing – Any bank accounts or properties linked to these groups within the U.S. will be seized.
2. Economic Sanctions – U.S. citizens and businesses are prohibited from financially supporting or doing business with these groups.
3. Stronger Legal Action – Providing material support, funding, or resources to these groups will now be treated as a federal crime in the U.S.
4. Possible Military and Law Enforcement Operations – The designation allows the U.S. government to take more aggressive actions, including intelligence operations or cooperation with Latin American military forces.

This move represents a major shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding organized crime, treating these cartels and gangs with the same level of priority as international terrorist organizations.

How Will This Affect These Criminal Organizations?

The designation of these Latin American cartels and gangs as terrorist organizations will likely disrupt their operations in several ways. With tougher U.S. sanctions in place, their ability to launder money through international banking systems will be significantly restricted, making it harder to move funds freely. Additionally, the U.S. is expected to pressure other countries to adopt similar measures, increasing international cooperation against these groups and limiting their ability to operate across borders. As their financial and logistical networks face mounting challenges, these organizations may resort to more violent tactics to maintain control over territories and revenue streams, leading to potential escalations in criminal activity and conflicts with both law enforcement and rival factions.

What Can We Expect in the Coming Months?

The U.S. designation of these criminal organizations as terrorist groups will increase pressure on Latin American governments, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and Venezuela, to cooperate in joint operations aimed at dismantling their networks. This move also grants the U.S. military greater authority to directly target these groups, potentially leading to special operations or drone strikes. However, rather than disappearing, these organizations may fragment, resulting in intensified violence as they struggle to maintain power in the face of law enforcement crackdowns and competition from rival factions. Additionally, the disruption of major cartels could create a power vacuum, allowing new criminal organizations to emerge and altering the dynamics of the global drug trade.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in the War on Organized Crime

By designating these groups as terrorist organizations, the U.S. has dramatically escalated its approach to fighting Latin American crime syndicates. While this decision could severely weaken these organizations, it also comes with potential risks, including increased violence and retaliation. As the sanctions take effect, the world will be watching how both governments and criminal organizations adapt to this new reality. The key question remains: Will this strategy finally dismantle these powerful criminal empires, or will it simply force them to evolve? Only time will tell.