Trump administration designates 22 Latin American criminal groups as terrorists

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 21:01 · Archive

The Trump administration has designated 22 Latin American and Caribbean criminal groups as 'foreign terrorist organisations', adding a Guatemalan group to the list on Friday. The label was traditionally reserved for groups like the Islamic State or al-Qaida that use violence for political purposes, rather than money-focused criminal organisations. Trump's aim is to increase pressure on these groups and anyone the US sees as aiding them.

The strategy was rolled out in February 2025 and served as a pretext for the capture of Venezuelan Nicolás Maduro, alongside dozens of attacks on alleged 'narcoterrorist' boats resulting in more than 200 deaths. The designations also prompted Latin American countries including Guatemala and Argentina to take similar actions against certain groups, while Ecuador launched joint operations on its own soil.

Mexico, with eight groups on the list, has the most of any country. The main targets include the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, both multinational criminal groups and the largest fentanyl traffickers into the US. The Sinaloa Cartel dates back to the 1970s. Mexico's government faces extreme pressure from the US to avoid Trump's unilateral actions, particularly following indictments of high-ranking officials in Sinaloa state.

However, Trump's approach has revealed contradictions. Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, sentenced to 45 years for drug trafficking and accused during trial of protecting the Sinaloa Cartel, was pardoned by Trump last year and has returned to Honduras.

How it is being reported

• Trump list of US-designated 'foreign terrorist organizations' in Latin America grows to 22The Trump administration has designated 22 Latin American and Caribbean criminal groups as “foreign terrorist organizations,” adding a Guatemalan group added to the list on Friday.Clickorlando · 13 Nov, 20:31
• Trump list of US-designated 'foreign terrorist organizations' in Latin America grows to 22The Trump administration has designated 22 Latin American and Caribbean criminal groups as “foreign terrorist organizations,” adding a Guatemalan group added to the list on Friday.News4Jax · 13 Nov, 20:31

In this story: Trump administration · Mexico · Guatemala · Sinaloa Cartel · Jalisco New Generation Cartel · Nicolás Maduro · Juan Orlando Hernández · Ecuador

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