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Justice Dept Treats Corrupt Mexican Officials as Terrorists

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Justice Department directed prosecutors to treat corrupt Mexican officials as terrorists.
Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh announced the guidance on Wednesday, urging its use against Mexican narcotics traffickers.
The guidance follows an executive order that labeled Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
U.S. military actions after the order have killed nearly 200 people the administration calls drug smugglers, intensifying tensions after indictments of Sinaloa’s governor and nine officials.

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Story summary

Justice Department directed prosecutors to treat corrupt Mexican officials as terrorists.
Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh announced the guidance on Wednesday, urging its use against Mexican narcotics traffickers.
The guidance follows an executive order that labeled Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
U.S. military actions after the order have killed nearly 200 people the administration calls drug smugglers, intensifying tensions after indictments of Sinaloa’s governor and nine officials.