US President Donald Trump has designated six Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations because all the tools available have been insufficient to combat them.
David Arizmendi, spokesman for the US Embassy in Mexico, assured EL UNIVERSAL that the designation of terrorists does not grant the US armed forces additional powers and stressed that the neighboring country is going to destroy the cartels, because it is a priority of the Republican president in which they expect Mexico’s cooperation.
The Washington diplomat explains that the cartels undermine Mexico’s economic stability, crush small businesses, terrorize workers and create an environment that scares away investment. He assures that the plan is to get rid of these organizations and that will strengthen the Mexican economy, instead of weakening it.
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On January 20, Trump signed an executive order to designate the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), Cartel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cartel del Golfo, and the United Cartels as terrorist organizations, which went into effect on February 20.
Why are they taking this action now?
—President Donald Trump instructed the Secretary of State to make a recommendation on the designation of international cartels within 14 days of the executive order issued on January 20, prompting Secretary Marco Rubio to order a comprehensive review of cartel activities and suggest recommended actions.
The February 20 announcement is the result of that process and reaffirms the Trump-Vance administration’s unwavering commitment to stopping the scourge of violence and addiction plaguing our communities.
President Trump chose not to designate the cartels as terrorists in his first term. What has changed?
—These designations respond to the clear threat these organizations pose to our security and are a recognition that the traditional tools we have used to combat these groups were insufficient. This action demonstrates our commitment to stopping the activity of these groups.
How will these designations impact the cartels, which are already subject to sanctions under laws related to drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations?
—These FTO [foreign terrorist organization] designations will provide our law enforcement agencies with powerful additional tools to criminally prosecute individuals subject to U.S. jurisdiction who knowingly provide material support or resources to these organizations. These designations also enhance our ability to investigate suspected members and associates of these organizations, allowing us to prevent their entry into the United States by denying them visas.
Cartels in some countries have bought politicians or placed their own people in key positions. Will you consider designating nations whose government has been corrupted as sponsors of terrorism?
—This measure targets these eight organizations [drug cartels designated as terrorists], and that is our focus.
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Who is being designated and why?
—The State Department announced its intention to designate Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, the Cartel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, the Gulf Cartel, and Carteles Unidos as Specially Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Global Terrorists (SDGs).
What are the consequences of these designations?
—Both types of designations expose and isolate such entities and prevent them from exploiting the U.S. financial system. This means that all property and interests in property of the designated entities that are located in the United States or that are in the possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked (…) U.S. persons are prohibited from doing business with the designated entities.
The terrorism designations also provide law enforcement and law enforcement agencies with additional tools to counter these heinous groups and stop their campaigns of violence and terror both in the United States and internationally (…) There is criminal liability for individuals who knowingly provide material support or resources to the designated international terrorist organizations. Finally, members and associates of the designated terrorist groups and individuals who materially support them will be barred from obtaining U.S. visas, admission to the United States, or other immigration-related benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Will these designations affect companies that pay money to the cartels for “protection” or the banks that provide them with financial services?
—We cannot speculate on these matters, I refer you to the Department of Justice for more information on criminal proceedings.
Do these designations grant authority for military or other actions?
—These designations do not grant the United States military additional powers that it does not already have.
How could this affect the Mexican economy?
—It is not healthy to speculate. I prefer to share what we know. We know that protecting our citizens is a priority, with the decrease in deaths. Destroying these cartels is a priority of President Trump’s administration. We are hopeful that the Mexican government and the private sector will work to achieve this goal and, if they do, the impact will be materially less than if they do not.
The problem that we really need to look at is how the cartels affect the Mexican economy (…) And that is not a hypothesis. Cartels undermine Mexico’s economic stability: they crush small businesses, terrorize workers, and create an environment that scares away investment. Designations and getting rid of these cartels are key to that, not only keeping our people safe, but strengthening the Mexican economy, rather than weakening it.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has insisted on not allowing violations of Mexican sovereignty and has formulated a constitutional reform to sanction foreigners. How do they read this message in the United States?
—We recognize President Sheinbaum’s commitment and we are very aware that we work respecting the sovereignty of each country. The important thing is to recognize that the law applies to anyone who (…) is involved in illicit activities. As Secretary Rubio commented, the preference is always to work hand in hand with our partners in Mexico. We can provide information about these organizations and people. If they are in a third country, for example, if they operate from Mexico, we can now share that information with our Mexican partners so that they can take action on this because it is a risk for both of our countries. We look forward to having cooperation on this point.
Is understanding and cooperation the best way to combat cartels?
—It’s not really a matter of choosing between one or the other because, as neighbors, we must work together to address our most pressing challenges, such as confronting drug trafficking and cartels.
President Trump has said that the United States government will take the necessary measures to keep the American people safe. These designations are an important step in that direction. But let’s be clear: this does not replace bilateral understanding and cooperation. Bilateral understanding and cooperation are essential. Working together to protect the people of our nations is essential.
Source: eluniversal
