Story perspectives

Trump Pushes 24 Narco-Terror Groups Terror Designations

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:56 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Shield members to label 24 narco-terrorist groups as terrorists.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said 14 coalition nations agreed to make the designations.
The coalition now includes 19 nations such as the United States, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru.
Designated groups include MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Mexican cartels and Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital.

History

Historical Context

After President Bill Clinton used emergency powers in 1995 to target the Cali Cartel, he signed the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act in 1999, giving Treasury authority to freeze assets of major traffickers. The first designations came on June 1 2000, and by February 2022 the list included 2,182 individuals and entities. President Donald Trump now urges the Shield coalition to label narco-terrorist groups, echoing that sanctions-based approach.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Shield members to label 24 narco-terrorist groups as terrorists.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said 14 coalition nations agreed to make the designations.
The coalition now includes 19 nations such as the United States, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru.
Designated groups include MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Mexican cartels and Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital.

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