Canada Joins Trump and Declares Mexican Cartels as Terrorists

After former president Donald Trumpdeclared eight criminal organizations as terrorists on February 19, now Canada has decided to join the fight against organized crime.

The Canadian government announced on February 20 the inclusion of seven criminal organizations in its list of terrorists, among which are several Mexican cartels.

Canada doesn't coordinate with the U.S., but makes the same decision

Canada's Public Safety Minister, David McGuinty, was responsible for making the announcement from Ottawa. Among the organizations declared as terrorists are the Sinaloa, Jalisco New Generation, Northwest, Gulf, and New Michoacan Family cartels, among others.

McGuinty dismissed that this measure was coordinated with the United States government, despite being announced a day after Trump's decision.

"Canada is a sovereign and independent country. The decision to include these organizations in the list is completely sovereign," McGuinty stated.

The minister justified the measure under the argument that it is necessary "to keep our communities safe."

"These criminal organizations instill fear in the population through the use of extreme violence. They are responsible for drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal arms trafficking," he declared at a press conference.

The Mexican government responds with reforms to protect the cartels

Faced with international pressure, the government of Claudia Sheinbaum has reacted as expected: instead of toughening its stance against the cartels, it has opted to push two constitutional reforms to supposedly "protect the country's sovereignty."

This response comes as a reaction to Trump's declaration about the cartels. However, what the government really seeks is to avoid any kind of international intervention and continue protecting its criminal partners.

Sheinbaum and Morena's argument is completely fallacious. On repeated occasions, U.S. officials have clarified that the U.S. has no plans for military intervention in Mexico. In fact, both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump have indicated that they only seek to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Do the cartels meet the requirements to be terrorists?

For a foreign organization to be declared a terrorist, it must meet the following three criteria:

1. Be a structured group.
2. Have the capacity to carry out terrorist acts.
3. That its activities threaten U.S. security.

In the case of the Mexican cartels, there is no doubt that they meet all the requirements. Their history of violence and territorial control is sufficient proof:

1. They charge protection fees to entrepreneurs and merchants.
2. They execute candidates and elected officials.
3. They displace entire communities with violence.
4. They kidnap and murder migrants.
5. They massacre entire families without mercy.
6. They control roads and municipalities with impunity.

Will Sheinbaum's government continue to cover up for the criminals?

Meanwhile, Canada and the United States take firm measures against the cartels, the Mexican government continues to protect them with empty speeches about "sovereignty." The real question is: how long will Morena continue to protect these criminal groups?

How much more will the Mexican people have to suffer before the government stops being complicit with the narco?