U.S. Threatens to Label Mexican Drug Cartels as Terrorist Organizations, Mexico Responds with Lawsuits Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers

Mexico Threatens Legal Action Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers if Cartels Are Labeled Terrorists

The Mexican government has expressed strong opposition to the United States' potential decision to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. In a recent statement, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that Mexico would respond with "countermeasures" if the U.S. follows through with the plan.

On February 14, the Guardian reported that Sheinbaum stated U.S. gun manufacturers could face lawsuits for their alleged role in facilitating criminal organizations. "If the U.S. declares these cartels as terrorists, we will need to expand our legal actions against them," Sheinbaum remarked during a press conference. She further emphasized that the gun companies have been accused of colluding with these cartels, suggesting that they could be charged as accomplices in criminal activities. Mexican lawyers are reportedly investigating the situation.

The President also referenced U.S. Department of Justice statistics, which highlight that approximately 74% of firearms smuggled into Mexico come from the United States. This revelation points to the growing problem of American-made guns fueling violence in Mexico, as these weapons often end up in the hands of criminal cartels involved in drug trafficking and violent crime.

This recent backlash follows reports from The New York Times that the U.S. State Department plans to designate various criminal organizations in Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and Venezuela as terrorist groups. Among those groups reportedly under consideration are Mexico's two largest drug cartels: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel. The designation is part of a broader U.S. effort to combat transnational crime and secure the southern border, which has seen increasing pressure from the flow of drugs into the U.S.

The move to label Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations is linked to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January, which authorized the designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist groups. Trump justified this action by stating that these criminal groups posed a national security threat beyond traditional organized crime.

Despite the potential legal consequences for U.S. gun manufacturers, it remains uncertain whether Mexico’s legal challenges will have a significant impact on the companies. In the past, Mexico has filed lawsuits against U.S. gun manufacturers for their role in the illegal arms trade, but U.S. courts have often dismissed these cases, citing a lack of jurisdiction. One such case involved Mexico suing six major U.S. gun manufacturers for $10 billion in damages after estimating that between 200,000 to 750,000 firearms were smuggled into Mexico annually, leading to numerous deaths and injuries. However, the U.S. courts rejected the lawsuit, asserting that the case was outside their jurisdiction.

Additionally, tensions between the U.S. and Mexico have remained high due to trade disputes. In December, President Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican goods, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Although he later delayed the decision after securing commitments for further cooperation from Mexico, issues related to immigration and border security continue to fuel tensions.

This ongoing conflict underscores the complex and multi-faceted relationship between the two neighboring countries, especially as they navigate shared challenges related to drug trafficking, violence, and border security.