ASSESSMENTS

The Practical Limits of Labeling Mexican Cartels as Terrorist Organizations

Nov 27, 2019 | 17:51 GMT

U.S. President Donald Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Otay Mesa, California, on Sept. 18, 2019.

U.S. President Donald Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Otay Mesa, California, on Sept. 18, 2019.

(NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Highlights

  • The long and complex relationship between the United States and Mexico has left the Mexicans far more sensitive to what they perceive as U.S. infringement on their sovereignty.
  • Many Mexicans view U.S. President Donald Trump's actions as offensive, patronizing and motivated by his 2020 election ambitions.
  • Merely labeling a few of the larger groups such as the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion and the Sinaloa cartel as terrorist organizations will not be helpful in meaningfully countering all the smaller groups.

The harsh reality is that economics dictate that the flow of contraband across the U.S.-Mexico border will never end as long as there is a huge market in the United States. ...

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