The Growth of Narco-Terrorism in Mexico: Expanding The Counternarcotic Strategy with Foreign Terrorist Designation

Drug Trafficking Organizations in Mexico increasingly resemble terror groups, however, as they share overlapping characteristics with other violent groups, they are not officially recognized as terrorist organizations. This manuscript reviews the debates on how to classify these organizations and the necessary criteria for labeling them as terror organizations. The development of these organizations is additionally reviewed, highlighting their progressive militarization, the deliberate targeting of civilians, and the emerging political motivations underpinning their attacks, underscoring the heightened risk they present to U.S. national security. The analysis suggests that an expansion of the existing counterstrategy to include Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation could prove effective. Such a strategy would enhance efforts to dismantle U.S.-based cartel operations, set new norms for counter-cartel efforts, and introduce the potential use of Special Operations Forces. This manuscript concludes with opportunities for future research and negative implications of terrorist designation.