On Friday, during the ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York, the U.S. ambassador, Ronald Johnson, placed drug cartels in the same threat category as Al Qaeda and defended the designation of these groups as foreign terrorist organizations, ordered by President Donald Trump.
The event was held in the central courtyard of the diplomatic mission, with five floral wreaths placed at the times when each of the hijacked planes crashed on September 11, 2001, a minute of silence, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The fifth wreath honored Los Topos, the Mexican rescue group that participated in the rescue efforts that day. Before his speech, Johnson approached the press to greet them: “It is a very difficult day. It is a day that changed the world.”
In his remarks, the ambassador stated:
“The world today is different from the world of September 11, 2001,” and although “terrorist organizations adapt, their methods change, their networks change,” those that “use violence and intimidation to terrorize communities and impose their will through fear continue to be a threat to free societies everywhere.”
For this reason, he continued, “President Trump has recognized the threat posed by cartels and has designated them as foreign terrorist organizations. They are not simply drug-trafficking organizations,” he said. “They use murder, violence, corruption, and intimidation to control entire communities and impose their will.”
The ambassador warned that “terrorism can change its methods and its appearance, but we must never become blind to what it really is.”
He added that “honoring those we lost on September 11 means remembering the threats we faced then and remaining vigilant against the threats we face today.”
Johnson also referred to the bilateral relationship, which he described as something that goes beyond geography and trade: “The United States and Mexico are connected by geography, of course, and trade, yes, we know that, but our relationship is also a decision that we make. We make it every day: the decision to work together, to support each other, and to protect our people together, based on strong relationships and connections between our peoples.”
He recalled the participation of Los Topos and other Mexican volunteers in the 2001 rescue efforts and emphasized that they did not act “because of a treaty or an economic agreement,” but because “neighbors help neighbors and because friends stand together when tragedy occurs.” That spirit, he said, “remains at the heart of the relationship between our countries today.” He also recalled that 16 Mexicans were among the 2,977 victims of the 2001 attacks.
The ambassador said: “Just as President Trump and President Sheinbaum move forward with a partnership that delivers results, may our two nations remain united in defense of the freedom and democracy that we both value so highly.”
In a video posted on the social media platform X on the occasion, Johnson said: “If we are attacked, if they harm our citizens, our allies, our friends, or our interests, we will hold them responsible. Under President Trump, we have the best leadership, the strongest economy, the most powerful military, and the best intelligence and law enforcement agencies anywhere in the world, and we will send the best for you
Source: jornada
