Appeal to Trump Administration: Cartels Considered Terrorist Entities

A coalition of American citizens who have lost relatives due to cartel-related violence has reached out to the Trump administration, urging it to expand the designation of terrorist organizations to include more criminal groups. This request was detailed in a letter exclusively accessed by ABC News.

The correspondence, directed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week, was penned by members of the recently established group known as American Families Against Cartel Terrorism. They are advocating for the inclusion of the Juárez Cartel and its violent faction, La Línea, on the Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) list maintained by the State Department.

"As individuals deeply affected by the violence—comprising parents, spouses, siblings, offspring, and other surviving members—we write burdened with the immense sorrow of having lost loved ones to the brutal force of Mexican drug cartels," reads the initial lines of the letter.

"Our plea extends beyond personal tragedy, aiming to secure the safety of Americans, achieve justice for all affected U.S. citizens, and to ensure no American's plight is overlooked," it continues. "Our goal is to prevent similar heartaches from befalling other families."

Additional Information: Legal Actions Against Mexican Cartel Leadership

By labeling a group as an FTO, any form of material aid to the organization is rendered illegal, and non-citizen affiliates are automatically prohibited from entering the U.S. It also opens the possibility for victims and their families to seek legal restitution.

Historically, FTO designations were reserved for extremist factions, but the Trump administration has shown a readiness to expand these criteria. This year alone, designations have included eight drug cartels from Latin America and two gangs from Haiti.

Nonetheless, critics argue these designations have not drastically altered the government’s ability to combat and prosecute cartel activities effectively.

In their letter, the coalition expressed gratitude for prior efforts to counter drug cartels and urged the designation of the Juárez Cartel and La Línea as terrorist organizations, emphasizing a strong U.S. stance against the murder and intimidation of innocent citizens.

Members from the American Families Against Cartel Terrorism shared their personal stories, detailing their losses in statements made to ABC News.

Devin Langford, who survived a ruthless cartel ambush on November 4, 2019, shared, "I came face to face with the Juárez Cartel and La Línea when they riddled our family with bullets, claiming the lives of my mother, Dawna Langford, and my younger brothers, Trevor and Rogan."

He continued, "While I can't reclaim my family, I speak out to ensure no other American is forced to fear cartel violence emanating from Mexico."

Adriana Jones, head of the coalition, expressed her grief over losing her sister and four nieces and nephews to the same violent act, stating, "Mexican cartels run operations that perpetuate death and havoc, posing a threat to the safety of families throughout the U.S."

"AmFACT's mission is to give a platform to survivors and affected families, hoping to spare others from the heartache and terror we've experienced," Jones added.