Canada Declares Mexican Cartels as Terrorist Groups

Canada has officially designated seven criminal organizations, including several Mexican drug cartels, as terrorist groups, aligning with the United States in efforts to combat organized crime and the fentanyl crisis. David McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, emphasized that this move equips law enforcement with enhanced tools to dismantle these networks, allowing authorities to freeze assets, disrupt financial operations, and prosecute individuals linked to these groups. 

On Feb.20, the US State Department released a list of foreign terrorist organizations that includes the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), Northeast Cartel (Los Zetas' successor), Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cárteles Unidos, and the Gulf Cartel, along with transnational criminal groups like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and MS-13. While Canada adopted most of the U.S. list, it notably excluded the Northeast Cartel. McGuinty emphasized that Canada’s decision was made independently of the United States but reassured that authorities would continue evaluating emerging threats. He confirmed that Canada is strengthening its borders and using all available tools to ensure the safety of Canadians.

New Constitutional Reform Responds to US Cartel Designations

On Feb. 20, Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she will submit a proposal to Congress to amend Art. 19 and 40 of the Mexican Constitution. The proposed amendment to Art. 40 asserts that "the people of Mexico will under no circumstances accept interventions, intrusions, or any other acts from foreign entities that compromise the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the nation, including coups d'état, election interference, or violations of Mexican territory, whether by land, water, sea, or air."

Additionally, the amendment to Art. 19 introduces the imposition of the most severe penalties and mandatory preventive detention for any individual, whether national or foreign, involved in arms trafficking or activities that threaten Mexican sovereignty. "The classification of criminal organizations in Mexico, often referred to as cartels, as terrorist groups is a unilateral decision taken by the United States—one that was neither discussed nor agreed upon with us. While we respect US internal policies, such decisions cannot serve as a pretext to interfere in our sovereign affairs," stated Sheinbaum.