Former President Trump's move to designate certain Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) is a crucial step towards addressing the escalating drug and human trafficking crisis impacting the United States. This action acknowledges the harsh reality of Mexico's entanglement with these criminal networks, a truth often ignored by official Washington.

The widespread fentanyl crisis, claiming thousands of American lives annually, is directly fueled by these cartels. Their operations, often supported by entities like China, bear a striking resemblance to Middle Eastern terrorist groups. They exert significant political influence and operate with alarming impunity within Mexico.

A War Fought Like a War

Classifying cartels as FTOs empowers law enforcement with crucial tools – financial sanctions, expanded intelligence operations, and even the potential for direct military intervention. This designation allows for asset freezes, travel bans, and severe penalties for those supporting these criminal organizations. It's a recognition that this is a war, and it demands a commensurate response.

Mexico's Complicity: "Hugs, Not Bullets"

Mexico's "hugs, not bullets" policy under previous administrations effectively signaled surrender to the cartels. This approach, prioritizing the avoidance of conflict, allowed these criminal enterprises to flourish while they continued to wreak havoc on both sides of the border.

Ending the Charade

For too long, Washington has maintained a facade of partnership with Mexico, despite the mounting evidence of complicity. This designation shatters that illusion and confronts the grim reality of a narco-state operating on America's doorstep. It’s a critical step towards safeguarding American lives and dismantling the cartels' deadly networks.