State Department to designate MS-13, Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations

The State Department designated two migrant gangs and six Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, following through on a campaign promise President Trump made to step up pressure on the groups.

They include the notorious MS-13, based in Central America and known for its violent attacks within immigrant communities here in the U.S., and Tren de Aragua or TdA, a Venezuelan gang that infiltrated the U.S. over the last several years.

The six smuggling cartels are the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the United Cartels, the Cartel de Noreste or Northeast Cartel, the Gulf Cartel and La Nueva Familia Michoacana.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio published the list in the Federal Register on Thursday morning.

“The intent of designating these cartels and transnational organizations as terrorists is to protect our nation, the American people, and our hemisphere,” Mr. Rubio said. “These designations provide law enforcement additional tools to stop these groups.”

He said he made the determination in conjunction with the attorney general and Treasury secretary.

Conservatives had long pushed for the move but the Biden administration had resisted, saying it didn’t think the designation was necessary.

Mr. Trump, upon taking office, ordered the moves but left it up to the State Department to decide who would be listed.

The designation elevates the organizations to the highest levels of concern for U.S. agencies and gives the Treasury Department new space to place sanctions on their financial dealings.

Mr. Rubio said the designations are “an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities.”

“Today’s actions taken by the State Department demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests and dismantling these dangerous organizations,” he said.

The listings won cheers from Republicans.

“Drug cartels from Mexico and Venezuela have the blood of more Americans on their hands than any foreign adversary in American history. They are terrorists and they should be destroyed,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican.

But Democrats questioned the move.

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said Mr. Rubio’s announcement “leaves more questions than answers.” He said Congress hasn’t been briefed on the justification.

“The administration has also yet to explain why the designations are even necessary given current authorities to target international drug trafficking activity,” he said.

He also warned of “potential unintended consequences” on U.S. businesses, international relations and migrants.