U.S. Designates Barrio 18 a Foreign Terrorist Organization

Overview

• The State Department also named Barrio 18 a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, triggering asset freezes and prohibitions on material support.
• The listing places the gang alongside MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and Mexican cartels including Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation.
• Officials describe Barrio 18 as one of the Northern Hemisphere’s largest gangs, and a Justice Department filing estimates about 50,000 members.
• The administration has invoked terrorism designations to justify lethal strikes on suspected drug boats, prompting objections from some Democratic lawmakers.
• El Salvador’s campaign under President Nayib Bukele has weakened the gang and reduced crime, while drawing accusations of widespread human rights abuses.