There are eight dangerous criminal groups in Latin America that have been labeled as terrorist organizations by the United States. These groups are known for their involvement in drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and violence. The U. S. government has taken a strong stance against these groups, designating them as terrorist organizations. This designation is typically reserved for groups like the Islamic State or al-Qaida, which use violence for political ends. However, these Latin American cartels are primarily motivated by money.

        The Sinaloa Cartel, based in Mexico, is one of the oldest and most powerful criminal organizations in the region. It has a long history of drug trafficking and has been involved in various forms of corruption. The cartel is known for its use of boats, planes, migrants, and cross-border tunnels to move drugs across continents. One of their most lucrative businesses in recent years has been the production of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has been blamed for tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year in the U. S. The arrest of Sinaloa's leader, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, in July set off months of internal power struggles within the cartel.

        The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also known as CJNG, is another hyper-violent and fast-growing group. They have been known to attack Mexican authorities, including military helicopters, using explosive-dropping drones and improvised explosive devices. The cartel is led by Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera and is known for distributing tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in all 50 U. S. states.

        The Gulf Cartel and Northeast Cartel operate along the eastern end of the U. S. -Mexico border. They move drugs, immigrants, guns, and money in what is the most direct route to the U. S. from Central and South America. The Gulf Cartel has a long history in Mexico, but has fractured in recent years, spurring frequent clashes between factions. Its former leader, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, recruited members of Mexico’s military in the late 1990s to form a fearsome element known as the Zetas, which eventually split and became their own drug trafficking organization.

        The Northeast Cartel is a remnant of the Zetas and has retained a relatively small portion of what the Zetas once ruled through relentless violence. Their base is Nuevo Laredo, the busiest commercial port on the U. S. -Mexico border.

        La Nueva Familia Michoacana and United Cartels operate in west-central Mexico and produce synthetic drugs. However, they are a concern to the U. S. because of their involvement in the avocado trade. The state of Michoacan exports $2. 8 billion of avocados, a trade threatened by local criminal groups. U. S. inspectors working in Michoacan checking for pests have been threatened on multiple occasions by these groups, which control production and, to an extent, the price of avocados through extortion and threats to growers.

        The Tren de Aragua gang emerged from a prison in central Venezuela more than a decade ago. In recent years, it has spread from Chile to the United States, capitalizing on the exodus of some 8 million Venezuelans escaping their country’s political and economic crises. While its origins are in drug trafficking, its main businesses are migrant smuggling, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and forced labor. It’s known for extreme violence — decapitations and burying victims alive — that has generated panic in countries across the hemisphere. U. S. authorities say Tren de Aragua insinuated itself into criminal networks in South America, launders its proceeds through crypto currencies and now poses a threat in various U. S. cities.

        Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, is a violent street gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s. It grew to include many U. S. citizens in its ranks. In the U. S. , the gang is known for brutal violence and street-level drug sales. Deported Salvadorans spread the gang to El Salvador where it quickly grew, corrupting and overwhelming local authorities. The gang and its rivals controlled swaths of territory, forcibly recruiting and extorting residents. The gang has been severely weakened in El Salvador since President Nayib Bukele launched an all-out assault on it and other street gangs nearly three years ago. His administration has arrested more than 80, 000 people during that time for alleged gang ties, though civil rights groups say there has been little due process.

        These groups are a significant threat to both Latin America and the United States. Their activities have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from drug trafficking to migrant smuggling and even the avocado trade. The U. S. government's designation of these groups as terrorist organizations is a strong statement against their activities and a call to action for increased pressure on these criminal enterprises.

LATIN AMERICA'S MOST DANGEROUS GANGS

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