“Nadie ganaría con declarar a cárteles como terroristas” – DW – 23/12/2024
Trump’s “Terrorist” Label for Mexican Cartels Raises Fears of U.S. Military Action
Washington, D.C. - President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to designate Mexican drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising concerns about potential U.S. military intervention in Mexico.
Trump, speaking at a rally on December 22nd, promised to take immediate action, stating, “We’re going to do it right away.” This declaration has sparked a fierce backlash from Mexican officials, who view the move as a direct threat to their nation’s sovereignty.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum swiftly rejected Trump’s proposal, emphasizing Mexico’s commitment to independence. “We collaborate,we coordinate,we work together,but we will never subordinate ourselves,” Sheinbaum declared during a public address. “Mexico is a free,sovereign,autonomous country,and we do not accept interference.”
Experts warn that Trump’s proposed designation could pave the way for U.S. military action on Mexican soil.
“This would essentially give the United States a blank check to potentially violate Mexican sovereignty,” said Jesus Perez caballero, a security expert at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte.Perez caballero pointed to past instances where the U.S. government has used the “terrorist” label to justify controversial actions, including extrajudicial killings and illegal detentions.
“The U.S. has used this designation to expand its military targets,” Perez Caballero explained. ”It allows them to treat the designated group as a wartime enemy, targeting not just armed factions but also their financial, logistical, and even ideological branches.”
The potential for escalating tensions between the two nations is a major concern for many. As Trump prepares to take office, the future of U.S.-Mexico relations hangs in the balance.
Trump’s Threat to Declare Mexican Cartels terrorists Sparks debate
Washington D.C. - Former President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations has ignited a firestorm of debate, raising concerns about potential U.S. military intervention in Mexico.
Trump, who announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, argued that such a move would empower the U.S. to combat the cartels more effectively. Tho, experts warn that such a declaration could have far-reaching consequences for both countries.
Isidro Morales, a specialist in U.S.-Mexico relations at Rice University, believes Trump’s proposal is primarily a political tactic aimed at pressuring Mexico into cracking down on fentanyl production.
“Its a mechanism to force Mexico to take action against these labs,” Morales said.”It’s what Trump wants to sell politically within the united States.”
While Morales doubts Mexico would receive direct funding from Washington for anti-crime efforts, he doesn’t rule out limited intelligence sharing to dismantle cartel operations.
However,he cautions against the potential for U.S. military action, such as drone strikes against cartel labs.
“That would be a disaster,” Morales warned. “Mexico’s president has made it clear she won’t accept any foreign intervention. There’s a surge of nationalism in Mexico that could escalate, and I don’t think anyone wins in this scenario, neither the U.S. nor Mexico.”
A Contradiction in U.S. foreign Policy?
Carlos López Portillo, a political analyst, points out the potential contradiction in U.S. foreign policy.
“While the U.S. presents itself as a defender of democracy and criticizes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a military intervention in Mexico would contradict this stance,” López Portillo said.
He acknowledges the U.S. has a history of intervening in other countries, citing examples like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam.
“While cartels lack the ideology of traditional terrorist groups, their firepower, coordination, and global networks demonstrate their critically important strength,” López Portillo observed.
He believes Trump’s proposal is a strategic move to gain leverage in future negotiations with mexico on trade and migration.
While López Portillo considers a U.S. military incursion into Mexico a viable scenario under Trump, he doesn’t deem it necessarily probable. He even suggests that Congress, despite its Republican majority, could act as a check on such an action.
Mexico’s New president Calls for Shared Responsibility in drug War
Mexico city, Mexico - in a bold move, newly elected Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called for a basic shift in the approach to the ongoing drug war, urging the United States to share responsibility for the crisis.
Speaking at his inauguration ceremony, López Obrador emphasized the need for a “mutual commitment” that acknowledges the role of the U.S. as a major consumer of drugs, a supplier of weapons, and a recipient of funds from organized crime.
“We need a real collaboration,” López Obrador stated, “one that allows us to open a new chapter in our operational relationship.”
This call for shared responsibility marks a departure from previous Mexican administrations,which often focused on cracking down on drug cartels within Mexico’s borders. López Obrador’s approach recognizes the complex, transnational nature of the drug trade and the need for a more comprehensive solution.
The President’s stance has sparked debate on both sides of the border. Some argue that it places undue blame on the U.S., while others see it as a necessary step towards a more effective and enduring strategy.López Obrador’s vision for a new era in the drug war remains to be seen. However, his call for shared responsibility signals a potential turning point in the decades-long struggle against drug trafficking.
trump’s “Terrorist” Label for Mexican Cartels Sparks Debate

Former President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations has reignited a controversial debate, raising concerns about the potential for US military intervention in Mexico.
Trump, who announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, argued that such a move would empower the US to combat the cartels more effectively. He pointed to the devastating impact of cartel violence and the flow of drugs into the United States. However,experts warn that such a declaration could have far-reaching and unintended consequences for both countries.
Escalating Tensions and Concerns About Sovereignty
some experts, like Isidro Morales, a specialist in US-Mexico relations at Rice University, believe Trump’s proposal is primarily a political maneuver aimed at appealing to his base. They argue that designating cartels as terrorist organizations could lead to increased military presence along the border and potentially violate Mexican sovereignty.
“This move could drastically escalate tensions between the two countries,” Morales states. “Mexico has consistently rejected any attempts to interfere in its internal affairs, and labeling cartels as terrorists could be seen as a direct attack on their sovereignty.”
The potential for military action is a major concern. Jesus Perez Caballero, a security expert at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, warns that the “terrorist” designation could be used to justify extrajudicial killings and other controversial actions.
“History has shown us that the US government has used this label to expand its military targets,” Perez Caballero explains. “It allows them to treat the designated group as a wartime enemy,targeting not just armed factions but also their financial,logistical,and even ideological branches.”
Mexican Officials Reject Trump’s Proposal
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum swiftly rejected trump’s proposal,emphasizing Mexico’s commitment to independence.”We collaborate, we coordinate, we work together, but we will never subordinate ourselves,” Sheinbaum declared. “Mexico is a free, sovereign, autonomous country, and we do not accept interference.”
A Tense Future for US-Mexico Relations?
As Trump continues his campaign for the 2024 presidency, his stance on Mexican drug cartels is likely to remain a point of contention. The future of US-Mexico relations hangs in the balance, with experts expressing concern about the potential for further escalation and damage to the already complex relationship between the two nations.
