Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a stern warning to U.S. authorities after six Mexican organized crime groups were designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) this week.
The decree—announced by the U.S. Department of State—targets the two largest and most violent criminal organizations on the continent: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel.
Sheinbaum insisted that the designation cannot be used as “an opportunity for the United States to invade our sovereignty.”
“Both countries want to combat organized crime, but we must ensure it is done through collaboration and coordination,” she stressed.
The Mexican government argues that the FTO designation is unnecessary and counterproductive to joint efforts, as cartels do not pursue the same political objectives as terrorist organizations.
The move—also replicated by Canada—follows an executive order signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on his first day back in office, declaring the cartels a national security threat.
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