After witnessing nine family members brutally executed by cartel gunmen, American families are demanding President Trump designate Mexico’s Juarez Cartel as an official terrorist organization.
Key Takeaways
- American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) has formally requested Secretary of State Marco Rubio designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
- The request follows the 2019 massacre of nine American women and children from the Lebaron family near the New Mexico border.
- An FTO designation would criminalize support for these cartels, bar non-citizen members from entering the U.S., and allow victims to sue for compensation.
- The Trump administration has already designated eight Latin American drug cartels and two Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations.
- Mexican authorities have made some arrests but have been accused of downplaying the case as “mistaken identity.”
Families Devastated by Cartel Violence Seek Justice
American families who have suffered unimaginable losses at the hands of Mexican drug cartels are taking their fight directly to the Trump administration. In a powerful appeal, the advocacy group American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) has sent a formal letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting that the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea, be officially designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). This designation would represent a significant escalation in America’s approach to combating these violent criminal enterprises that operate with impunity along our southern border.
“On November 4, 2019, I came face to face with the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing La Línea, as they sprayed our family with thousands of bullets,” stated Devin Langford, survivor of the cartel attack.
The horrific 2019 massacre that claimed the lives of nine American women and children from the Lebaron family near the New Mexico border stands as a stark testament to the brutality of these cartels. The victims, including three women and six children, were ambushed and murdered in a savage attack that shocked the nation. In the aftermath, Mexican authorities claimed the attack was a case of “mistaken identity,” suggesting the gunmen had confused the American family with rival cartel members—an explanation that many view as insufficient and possibly designed to downplay the deliberate nature of the attack.
Strategic Benefits of Terrorist Designation
The designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations would provide powerful new tools in the fight against these cartels. Under U.S. law, such a designation criminalizes any form of support for the organization, prevents non-citizen members from entering the United States, and critically, enables victims and their families to pursue legal action for compensation. The Trump administration has already demonstrated its willingness to use this approach, having previously designated eight Latin American drug cartels and two Haitian gangs as FTOs, establishing a precedent for this action.
“I can never bring back my mother and siblings, but I can speak out so that no American should have to fear Mexican drug cartel violence,” said Devin Langford, survivor of the cartel attack.
While some critics argue that these designations may not significantly enhance the government’s ability to combat these organizations beyond existing law enforcement measures, the families affected by cartel violence see it differently. For them, this is about justice, prevention, and sending an unequivocal message that the United States will not tolerate the murder of its citizens. The Lebaron family, who lost three women and six children in the 2019 attack, have been campaigning for years to have the cartels recognized as terrorist organizations, understanding that such a designation carries both practical and symbolic weight.
A Call for American Safety and Justice
The letter to Secretary Rubio emphasizes the dual imperatives of justice for American victims and ensuring the safety of all Americans against the threat posed by these cartels. It’s a reminder that the violence perpetrated by these organizations is not confined to Mexico but represents a clear and present danger to American communities across the nation through drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violence that spills across our borders. The families’ advocacy stems not just from their personal tragedies but from a desire to protect other Americans from experiencing similar horrors.
“Mexican cartels are criminal organizations that traffic in death and destruction, and they threaten the safety of families across the United States,” stated Adriana Jones, member of AmFACT.
The Trump administration’s response to this request will be closely watched, as it would represent a significant step in America’s approach to border security and the fight against narco-terrorism. By designating these cartels as terrorist organizations, the U.S. would gain additional legal and financial tools to disrupt their operations, freeze their assets, and hold accountable those who support them. For the families of victims, this designation would acknowledge the true nature of the threat these cartels pose and provide a pathway to justice that has thus far been elusive under Mexican jurisdiction.
“This is not just about our families, it is about keeping Americans safe and getting justice for all American victims and ensuring that no American is left behind,” ABC quoted from the letter. “We ask you to designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing La Línea, as FTOs, and keep sending a clear message that the United States will not tolerate the murder of innocent Americans or the terrorization of our communities.”
