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Rep. Roy Applauds the Trump Administration for Taking Action to Designate Cartels/Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO's)

February 19, 2025

WASHINGTON —  Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement today on the Trump administration's decision to designate several cartels/gangs as foreign terrorist organizations (FTO's).

Congressman Roy said: "This is the right move from President Trump and Secretary Rubio. We need to treat these cartels like the terrorists that they truly are, and give law enforcement every possible tool to cut them down hard and fast. That is why I first introduced legislation to do this when I was a freshman congressman back in 2019, and it is why I will keep up the fight to codify this policy into law so that no future president can unilaterally reverse it."

Secretary Rubio designated the following cartels/gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations:

  • Tren de Aragua
  • Mara Salvatrucha
  • Cartel de Sinaloa
  • Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion
  • Carteles Unidos
  • Cartel del Noreste
  • Cartel del Golfo
  • La Nueva Familia Michoacana

REP ROY'S PAST ACTIONS:

2019: Rep. Chip Roy Releases Bill Asking Sec. Pompeo To Designate Cartels Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)

2019: Reps. Chip Roy and Mark Green Request Drug Cartels Be Added To Terror List

2019: To fight Mexican drug cartels, we must designate them Foreign Terrorist Organizations

2021: Congressman Roy introduces legislation to designate cartels as terrorist organizations

2022: Rep. Roy's Statement on Texas Governor Abbott designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

2023: Rep. Roy reintroduces bill to designate cartels as terrorist organizations

2025: Rep. Roy reintroduces bill to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

‘One of the most important bills filed during this Congress’: Congressman Roy’s Push to Designate Cartels as Terrorist Organizations

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