Canada Designates Mexican Cartels and Street Gangs as Terrorist Organizations
Ottawa, Canada – In a decisive move to combat transnational crime and curb the flow of illicit drugs, the Canadian government has officially designated several Mexican drug cartels and Latin American street gangs as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. This action aligns with a recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to intensify efforts against organizations contributing to the opioid crisis and illegal immigration.
Designated Organizations
The newly listed terrorist entities include prominent Mexican cartels such as:
Sinaloa Cartel
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
La Familia Michoacana
Gulf Cartel
Cárteles Unidos
Additionally, the designation encompasses notorious street gangs like Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua. This classification empowers Canadian law enforcement agencies to employ enhanced legal measures to disrupt and dismantle these organizations’ operations within Canada.
Impetus for the Designation
The decision follows an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025, which imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. The tariffs were a response to perceived insufficient action by both countries in addressing illegal immigration and the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to designating these cartels as terrorist organizations and appointed Kevin Brosseau, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) official, as the nation’s “fentanyl czar” to lead efforts against opioid trafficking.
Domestic Impact and Law Enforcement Actions
Canadian authorities have identified operations by these cartels within the country. Notably, the RCMP reported the seizure of 835 kilograms of cocaine in Toronto, linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. This underscores the cartels’ reach into Canadian territory and the necessity for robust countermeasures.
The terrorist designation facilitates the application of specific provisions within the Criminal Code, enabling law enforcement to more effectively target the financial networks, movement, and recruitment strategies of these criminal organizations. Public Safety Minister David McGuinty emphasized the government’s commitment, stating, “Our Government will ensure that law enforcement has all the necessary tools to disrupt and dismantle the operations of these organizations in our communities.”
International Collaboration and Future Measures
This move signifies a strengthened collaboration between Canada and the United States in addressing shared security concerns related to drug trafficking and organized crime. By aligning policies and enforcement strategies, both nations aim to enhance the effectiveness of their efforts against these transnational threats.
As Canada implements these designations, further actions are anticipated to bolster border security, enhance intelligence-sharing, and disrupt the operations of these designated terrorist organizations both domestically and internationally.
Source : Swifteradio.com
