Washington: The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced on Thursday that eight international criminal organizations have been added to the list of designated global terrorist organizations.
In an official statement, the U.S. State Department cited Secretary Rubio, stating: "With the return of President Donald Trump to office, today we are fulfilling one of his key promises. I am pleased to announce that the State Department has officially designated eight criminal gangs as foreign terrorist organizations."
The U.S. State Department has officially designated the following criminal organizations as foreign terrorist entities: Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cartel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cartel del Golfo, and Cárteles Unidos.
The statement further referenced Executive Order 14157 issued by President Trump, which declares that criminal groups and foreign terrorist organizations pose a significant threat to American citizens, U.S. national security, and international stability in the Western Hemisphere.
During his inaugural speech, President Trump pledged to classify criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations and to direct the government to eliminate all foreign criminal networks under the provisions of the 1798 Act.
"As Commander-in-Chief, my top priority is to protect our country from threats and aggression, and that is exactly what I intend to do. We will carry out this mission at an unprecedented level," President Trump stated.
Secretary Rubio emphasized that this move is aimed at ensuring the security of the American people and the stability of the Western Hemisphere. "This decision will curb the campaigns of violence and terror orchestrated by these nefarious groups, both within the U.S. and on a global scale," he stated.
