GOP representatives urge State Dept to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations

A group of Republican congressmen recently urged the U.S. State Department to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).

“Think about this: a Mexican state that shares a 230-mile border with the U.S. holds the same State Department travel warning as Iran and Syria – both state sponsors of terrorism – because of their rampant and violent cartels,” U.S. Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) said. “Just like terrorist organizations, these cartels commit appalling acts of violence and executions to instill fear, and they are doing it just miles from American soil. While House Democrats ignore the security crisis at our border and feen over their impeachment obsession, we need to make sure the Administration is using every tool at its disposal to keep American families safe.”

Walker, along with Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Mark Green (R-TN), sent to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urging the Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism to make this designation.

“There is no doubt that dangerous Mexican drug cartels are threats to both Americans and Mexicans alike. Recent events remind us of the threat they pose and the need for action. We have a responsibility to stop these groups from harming Americans – which they are doing on a daily basis, while politically destabilizing our neighbor, murdering Mexican politicians and law enforcement personnel, and trafficking human beings and drugs across our southern border,” Roy said. “I was proud to introduce legislation earlier this year requesting Sec. Pompeo designate certain Mexican drug cartel factions “Foreign Terrorist Organizations.” I’m thankful for Rep. Mark Walker, who is joining Rep. Mark Green and [me] in leading the effort to ensure the United States can use all tools at our disposal to target these cartels. We will not stand idly by while Americans and our neighbors in Mexico are suffering at the hands of these dangerous groups.”

Green said these cartels use some of the same tactics as ISIS and al Qaeda.

“They destabilize countries, assassinate members of law enforcement, and traffic in dangerous narcotics. It’s past time to call them what they are—and end this assault on our Nation’s families and communities,” Green said.