U.S. Designates Two Mexican Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Why it matters locally: While Alaska is geographically distant from the U.S.-Mexico border, the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations could indirectly impact the state by strengthening federal efforts to combat organized crime, which can have ripple effects on illicit drug distribution and human trafficking pathways that sometimes reach remote parts of the U.S., including Alaska.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. authorities designated two more Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in February 2025. This action broadens the government's capacity to take enforcement measures against these groups. It also expands the government's ability to act against individuals who provide assistance to them. This move extends previous designations of Latin American cartels under the terrorist label. The U.S. government implemented these measures to allow for more aggressive action against the organizations.