The Trump administration has officially designated eight transnational criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations—including six major Mexican cartels—but experts in organized crime argue the designation is incorrect and will do little to combat the criminal networks.
"The intent of designating these cartels and transnational organizations as terrorists is to protect our nation, the American people, and our hemisphere," said Marco Rubio in a written statement announcing the designation. "Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities."
