The U.S. government has officially designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations. This move, announced by the State Department and published in the Federal Register, subjects both groups to severe financial and legal sanctions. By labeling these cartels as terrorist entities, the U.S. aims to disrupt their revenue streams and limit their ability to operate within the American financial system. The designation also allows for more aggressive law enforcement actions against anyone found providing material support to these organizations.
These two groups are now among several Mexican criminal organizations that carry the terrorist label under the current administration. The Juárez Cartel, based in Ciudad Juárez across from El Paso, Texas, is one of Mexico's oldest trafficking organizations. It has been linked to significant violence, including the 2019 massacre of nine U.S. citizens in Sonora. Los Viagras, a criminal group operating out of the western state of Michoacán, has also been identified as a major threat to security.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these groups either have committed terrorist acts or pose a serious risk of doing so, threatening the security of U.S. nationals and the broader national interest. The policy is part of a broader strategy initiated in early 2025 to apply the terrorist designation to various Latin American criminal groups. This approach is intended to provide U.S. authorities with additional tools to combat drug trafficking and related violence.
For the public and businesses, the impact is immediate. All property and interests belonging to these cartels that are within U.S. jurisdiction are now blocked. Furthermore, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with these groups. The administration maintains that these measures are essential for protecting American communities and securing the border against the influence of these violent organizations.