U.S. Labels 21 Latin Cartels as Terror Groups | Trinidad and Tobago News

The U.S. government has slapped 21 Latin American and Caribbean criminal groups with foreign terrorist designations — a historic move that flips the script by targeting profit-driven cartels, not just political actors. Rolled out in February 2025, the strategy has already sparked high-profile arrests, deadly naval raids, and regional alliances — including Ecuador’s joint ops with America. Mexico bears the brunt with eight groups labeled, while contradictions emerge, like pardoning a Honduran ex-president later convicted of shielding Sinaloa Cartel bosses. Despite crackdowns on gangs like Barrio 18 and MS-13 in El Salvador, powerhouses such as Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation remain entrenched, flooding U.S. shores with drugs. From Colombia’s Clan del Golfo to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, these networks fuel violence, extortion, and smuggling — turning the entire region into a tinderbox for U.S. security and global instability. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/16f9ebf302dfb388