The Trump Administration has officially imposed terrorist designations on three Guatemala-based criminal groups with deep ties to Mexican cartels: Los Lorenzanas, Los Huistas, and Los Mendoza. These organizations are heavily involved in the trafficking and exportation of illicit drugs, using the proceeds to fund terrorism and widespread criminal activity.
The U.S. Department of State has designated Los Lorenzanas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) as well as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). As one of Guatemala’s most powerful and violent drug trafficking clans, Los Lorenzanas has been responsible for numerous acts of violence targeting civilians, government officials, and military forces. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury has designated both Los Huistas and Los Mendoza as SDGTs for providing critical material support to Mexican cartels already designated by the United States.
Administration officials stated that these actions are part of an ongoing effort to utilize all available tools to protect the nation, keep illicit drugs off the streets, and disrupt the financial networks sustaining violent narcoterrorists. The U.S. government vowed not to stand by while these foreign terrorist organizations corrupt Guatemala’s democratic institutions. These designations underscore the administration’s commitment to dismantling transnational cartels and narcoterrorist networks in the region to ensure the safety of the American public.
The actions were taken under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Executive Order 13224 (as amended), and Executive Order 14059. The FTO designation takes effect upon publication in the Federal Register. For further details on the Treasury Department’s actions, refer to their official press release.