U.S. Labels Mexican Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Groups on Border

WHO:

CBS News - The Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras are the two new Mexican criminal organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.

WHAT:

ABC News - The U.S. government has designated two new Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

CBS News - The Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras joined six other Mexican criminal organizations that the U.S. considers terrorist groups.

WHERE:

CBS News - The designations pertain to cartels operating along the Texas border.

WHY:

ABC News - The designation of these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations is part of the U.S. government's efforts to combat drug trafficking and violence associated with these groups.

(UPDATED July 16, 2026 18:22 UTC)

The U.S. government has officially designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations, adding them to a list that already includes six other Mexican criminal groups. These designations specifically target cartels operating along the Texas border and are part of broader efforts to combat drug trafficking and the violence linked to these organizations. This move reflects the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in addressing the threats posed by these criminal enterprises.