The White House has issued an executive order designating certain international cartels and organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This move is based on the authority granted to the President by the Constitution and U.S. laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The order outlines a process for designating these entities under section 219 of the INA or IEEPA, in line with Executive Order 13224, which addresses blocking property and prohibiting transactions with individuals who commit or support terrorism.

International cartels are identified as posing a national security threat beyond traditional organized crime. Their activities include alliances with foreign terrorist organizations and hostile governments, operating complex systems akin to insurgency warfare, and infiltrating governments across the Western Hemisphere. The cartels' actions have destabilized key countries, contributed to drug trafficking into the United States, and posed significant threats to American safety and international stability.

Additionally, transnational organizations like Tren de Aragua (TdA) and La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) are recognized for their violent campaigns that threaten U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economy. The President has declared a national emergency under IEEPA to address these threats.

The policy aims to eliminate these organizations' presence in the U.S., safeguarding American territory and citizens from their extraterritorial command structures. Implementation requires action from various departments within 14 days of the order's issuance to recommend designations under relevant statutes.

The order emphasizes that it does not affect existing legal authorities or create enforceable rights against the U.S. government or its officials.