The Canadian government has officially designated seven transnational criminal organizations as terrorist entities in a move aimed at combating organized crime and drug trafficking.
According to an announcement from the Public Safety Ministry on Thursday, the listed groups include:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cartel de Sinaloa, Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Golfo, La Familia Michoacana, Carteles Unidos, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)
The decision follows the United States’ recent designation of some of these cartels as global terrorist organizations. Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty stated that these groups use extreme violence to terrorize communities while engaging in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms smuggling.
“These listed entities are organized crime groups that spread fear in local populations by using methods of extreme violence. The measures we are taking will keep fentanyl off the streets and from entering the United States,” McGuinty said.
In addition to the terror designations, Canada has launched a new initiative to curb money laundering linked to drug trafficking. The Department of Finance announced a partnership between Ottawa, law enforcement agencies, and major banks to enhance intelligence-sharing on financial crimes.
Kevin Brosseau, Canada’s newly appointed Fentanyl Czar, chaired the first meeting of the initiative on Wednesday. The session included chief money laundering officers from major banks and senior officials from the national police force.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the terror listings by announcing plans to propose a constitutional reform aimed at strengthening Mexico’s national sovereignty.
This development also aligns with recent statements from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who, on February 3, vowed that Canada would formally recognize drug cartels as terrorist entities while negotiating trade agreements with the United States.
