Donald Trump has confirmed he will push to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations (FTOs), a move he announced in his inauguration speech. The designation, which would add cartels to a list including Al-Qaida and Islamic State, is part of Trump's plan to 'wage war' on organised crime and address the fentanyl crisis. However, experts argue it may offer few new tools and could strain US-Mexico relations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected the idea outright, stating, 'We will work together, but we will not be subordinate. Mexico is a free, sovereign, independent country.' Trump previously threatened similar action in 2019 but held off at the request of the then Mexican president. The designation itself does not authorise military action, but some fear it could pave the way for US drone strikes or special forces operations on Mexican soil.
Maria Calderón of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute noted the main difference would be widening the range of targets to include anyone providing 'material support' to cartels, such as logistical help or financial services. However, she warned that the move could alienate Mexico at a time when bilateral cooperation is already low, following the arrest of Sinaloa cartel bosses in El Paso that triggered internal violence.
Security expert Mónica Serrano of El Colegio de México said the international environment for using force is now more permissive, making drone strikes more likely than ground troops. Critics point to Mexico's own militarised 'war on drugs' since 2006, which led to high-profile arrests but failed to curb drug flows and increased violence. Calderón emphasised that reducing arms trafficking—over 200,000 US firearms end up in cartel hands annually—and hitting cartel finances through anti-money-laundering measures would be more effective.
