The U.S. Department of State declared on Thursday that it has officially labeled 21 Latin American and Caribbean cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. This move is part of a broader hemispheric security strategy championed by the Trump administration.
The announcement was made by the State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism, attributing the action to the leadership of President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"With the direction from the President and Secretary Rubio, the United States has classified 21 cartels and gangs as terrorist organizations to ensure the safety and security of the U.S., and to protect the Western Hemisphere from the scourge of narcoterrorism," the bureau stated.
This decision follows a joint declaration made by 15 hemispheric governments under the Shield of the Americas initiative, pledging to collectively combat 24 narcoterrorist organizations.
The countries endorsing this initiative include the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Additional Groups Identified
The multilateral document identifies three additional groups, beyond the 21 designated by Washington: Colombia's ELN, Peru's Shining Path, and FARC dissidents, including the Central High Command and the Second Marquetalia. Several coalition countries already list these groups on their national registers.
The joint measures announced entail asset freezes, migration and visa restrictions for members, associates, and supporters of these groups, as well as criminal liability for those providing material or logistical support.
Initial Designations and Expansions
The designation process began on February 20, 2025, when the Trump administration first declared the following eight groups as terrorists: Tren de Aragua, MS-13, Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Northeast Cartel, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Gulf Cartel, and Cárteles Unidos.
The list has since expanded. The Venezuelan Cartel of the Suns was added in November 2025, followed by Colombia's Clan del Golfo in December of the same year.
Haitian groups such as Gran Grif and Viv Ansanm, Brazilian organizations like Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho, and Ecuadorian gangs, including Los Choneros and Chone Killers, were incorporated as well.
The most recent addition was Los Tiguerones, an Ecuadorian group that emerged in Guayaquil in 2019 as the armed wing of Los Choneros. Their designation was finalized on September 10, 2026, bringing the total to 21.
Expanding International Efforts
Launched in March 2026 at a summit held at Trump National Doral in Miami with 12 founding countries, the Shield of the Americas has grown to include nearly 20 nations. Colombia joined in August 2026, seeking U.S. cooperation for joint operations against narcoterrorism.
Participants also announced their plan to formally request the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States to convene a consultation meeting under the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, aiming to adopt collective resolutions against these organizations, thus enhancing international pressure with legal backing.
FAQs on U.S. Designation of Terrorist Organizations
What prompted the U.S. to classify these groups as terrorist organizations?
The designation is part of the Trump administration's strategy to enhance hemispheric security and combat the threat of narcoterrorism, aiming to protect both the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere.
Which countries are involved in the Shield of the Americas initiative?
The initiative includes the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.
What measures are being implemented against these designated groups?
The measures include freezing assets, imposing migration and visa restrictions, and holding those who provide support to these groups criminally liable.