Fact Check: Cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel, Lost Zetas, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Beltran Leyva Organization, are terrorists

Fact Check: "Cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Beltran Leyva Organization, are terrorists"

What We Know

The claim that Mexican drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and Beltran Leyva Organization are terrorists is rooted in ongoing discussions about how to classify these organizations. In December 2019, bipartisan legislation known as the Identifying Drug Cartels as Terrorists Act was introduced in the U.S. Congress. This act proposed to designate these cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) under U.S. law, which would allow for more robust law enforcement measures against them.

The legislation highlighted that these cartels engage in activities that meet the criteria for terrorism, including murder, extortion, and human trafficking, thereby posing a significant threat to public safety and national security (Fitzpatrick & Brindisi Introduce Bipartisan Legislation). Furthermore, in May 2023, a similar initiative was introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham, which also aimed to classify these cartels as FTOs, emphasizing their violent and criminal activities (Senator Lindsey Graham's Legislation).

Additionally, there have been legal actions where leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel were charged with narco-terrorism, indicating that U.S. authorities recognize the potential for these organizations to be classified under terrorism-related statutes.

Analysis

The classification of drug cartels as terrorists is a contentious issue. Proponents argue that the violent tactics employed by these organizations, including mass killings and intimidation, align with the definitions of terrorism. The Identifying Drug Cartels as Terrorists Act and similar legislative efforts reflect a growing sentiment among some lawmakers that these groups should be treated similarly to international terrorist organizations like ISIS or Al-Qaeda.

However, critics of this classification point out that labeling drug cartels as terrorists could complicate law enforcement and diplomatic efforts, potentially leading to unintended consequences. The distinction between organized crime and terrorism is significant in international law and could affect how the U.S. engages with Mexico on security matters. Furthermore, while cartels engage in violent crime, some experts argue that their primary motivation is profit rather than political objectives, which is a key characteristic of terrorism (Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations).

The reliability of sources discussing this issue varies. Legislative documents and official statements from lawmakers are generally credible, as they reflect the official positions of the U.S. government. However, media interpretations and analyses may introduce biases, particularly depending on the outlet's stance on drug policy and law enforcement.

Conclusion

The claim that cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Beltran Leyva Organization are terrorists is Partially True. While there is a legislative push to classify these organizations as terrorists based on their violent actions and the societal harm they cause, the broader implications of such a classification are still debated. The motivations of these cartels primarily revolve around profit rather than political ideology, which complicates their classification as terrorist organizations in the traditional sense.