Trump Designates Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The executive order expands U.S. legal and military powers, raising concerns over sovereignty, trade, and migration policies.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order labeling Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), granting the U.S. broader tools to combat their operations.
The designation allows for freezing assets, harsher penalties for providing material support, and potential military actions, such as drone strikes or special operations missions.
Critics warn the move could strain U.S.-Mexico relations, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasizing national sovereignty and rejecting unilateral interventions.
The policy introduces significant legal risks for businesses, migrants, and others inadvertently tied to cartels, with potential impacts on cross-border trade and asylum claims.
Experts caution that addressing U.S. drug demand is essential to tackling cartel influence, as military and enforcement measures alone may exacerbate violence in Mexico.