Written by FinCrime

These Are Drug Cartels Designated as Terrorists by the U.S.

Reported by Lynsey Chutel

(Excerpt featured below. To read full report, go to: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/world/americas/drug-cartels-us-terrorist-designation.html?searchResultPosition=7)

President Trump’s directive to the Pentagon to begin using military forceagainst certain Latin American gangs and cartels has turned a spotlight on those groups and raised a host of questions about legal issues, U.S. intervention abroad and which organization might be targeted.

It remains unclear what plans the Pentagon is drawing up for possible action, and where any potential military operations might take place. Mexico’s president said on Friday that U.S. military action in her country is “absolutely ruled out.”

Mr. Trump directed the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels that his administration has deemed terrorist organizations. The State Department in February designated several gangs and cartels foreign terrorists organizations. 

Here is an introduction to some of those groups:

Based in Sinaloa State, in western Mexico

Based in Jalisco State, in western Mexico

Based in Nuevo Leon State, in northeastern Mexico

Originated in Venezuela

Linked to El Salvador

Based in Tamaulipas State, in northern Mexico

Based in Michoacán State, in western Mexico

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