Trump's novel legal strategy pummels alleged 'narco-terrorists'
A wave of federal charges and military actions is rooted in President Donald Trump’s move to legally recognize drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorists.
TL;DR
- President Trump's administration has legally recognized drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorists.
- This designation has led to federal charges, including material support for terrorism, and military actions like bombings.
- The State Department has now designated 21 related groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel.
- The foreign terrorist label allows federal agencies to use harsher methods against cartels and gangs.
- The Department of Justice has charged alleged associates of various cartels with material support for terrorism.
- The strategy has been used in the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro for alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy.
- Military actions have included bombings of suspected drug trafficking vessels.
- Trump is urging other countries to label transnational crime groups as terrorists.