Mexico wants to amend its constitution over cartels' terrorist designation
Mexico fears that the US will violate its sovereignty (photo: Pixabay)
President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced that her party has proposed reforms to the country's constitution to better protect its sovereignty. This move is a response to the US designating certain drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, according to The Washington Post.
"This cannot be an opportunity for the United States to invade our sovereignty," Sheinbaum said, adding that Mexico will cooperate in the fight against organized crime but will not agree to subordination.
According to an analysis by the Wilson Center, the designation of a foreign terrorist organization allows the US Department of State to apply special sanctions and expands the US government's ability to pursue individuals who support such groups and gather intelligence on military activities.
The issue of designating cartels with this status has been raised multiple times by US lawmakers, but Mexico has opposed the idea due to concerns that it could lead to US military intervention and negatively impact Mexico's global reputation.
The WP notes that constitutional changes are more common in Mexico than in the US. Sheinbaum has already passed at least 12 constitutional reforms by January 30, after taking office on October 1, 2024.
The US State Department has designated eight Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), citing their threat to national security, foreign policy, and economic interests of the US.
The list includes Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas), La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cártel de Golfo (Gulf Cartel), and Cárteles Unidos, all designated as FTOs and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).
