In a fiery statement on Sunday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations immediately upon taking office on January 20. The declaration is part of a sweeping plan to combat what he described as a “criminal network that must be dismantled, deported, and destroyed.”
Speaking at a forum organized by the ultra-conservative group Turning Point in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump outlined his hardline vision. “All foreign gang members will be expelled, and I will designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations on day one,” Trump promised to an enthusiastic crowd.
A Long-Standing Republican Demand
The move aligns with long-standing calls from the GOP’s conservative wing, which has pushed for treating drug cartels as terrorist organizations and even advocated for military intervention in Mexico—a position vehemently opposed by the Mexican government. The declaration would open the door to enhanced U.S. measures against cartels, including sanctions, expanded military action, and potentially cross-border operations.
Targeting “Traffickers Sent by Other Nations”
Trump also reignited claims that other countries, particularly in Latin America, are actively sending drug traffickers to the U.S. “They are not sending their best. They’re sending criminals and drug dealers,” he asserted. He cited Aurora, Colorado, as a battleground city where the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is allegedly operating.
Trump’s remarks come amid rising Republican rhetoric about taking a more aggressive stance against the cartels, including the possibility of military strikes on cartel-controlled areas in Mexico—a proposal Mexico’s government has repeatedly condemned as a violation of its sovereignty.
Mixed Signals on Mexico
Despite his tough rhetoric, Trump briefly referred to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum as a “lovely woman,” but warned that Mexico must do more to curb the flow of drugs across the border. His comments hint at a potentially rocky future for U.S.-Mexico relations under his administration.
The Risks of Escalation
Designating cartels as terrorist organizations is not without significant implications. Such a move would allow the U.S. to use military force against these groups but could risk heightened tensions with Mexico, a critical trade and security partner. Critics have warned that unilateral military action could destabilize the region and strain diplomatic relations further.
Trump’s aggressive stance reflects his broader commitment to a hardline immigration and border security agenda, which has been a cornerstone of his political platform since 2016. Whether these promises will materialize and how they will shape U.S. foreign policy remain pressing questions as Trump prepares to return to the White House.
