Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans Thursday to propose constitutional reforms aimed at protecting national sovereignty, following the United States’ recent designation of several Latin American crime groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
The move comes in response to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 and officially published in the Federal Register on Feb. 20. The order designated eight Latin American organized crime groups, including six Mexican cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations.
During a press briefing, Sheinbaum said she strongly opposed the recent actions by the United States.
“The Mexican people will not accept under any circumstances interventions, interference or any other act from abroad that could be harmful to the integrity, independence and sovereignty of the nation.”
She emphasized the importance of maintaining Mexico’s autonomy, declaring, “What we want to make clear in the face of this designation is that we do not negotiate sovereignty. This cannot be an opportunity for the United States to invade our sovereignty.”
The proposed constitutional reforms would limit foreign involvement in domestic affairs. One key aspect of the changes would be to make permanent restrictions on how foreign agents can operate within Mexico, Sheinbaum said. This policy, initially implemented by Sheinbaum’s predecessor, former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, would now be enshrined into the constitution.
The U.S. designation, typically reserved for politically motivated groups such as the Islamic State or al-Qaida, is being applied to money-focused crime rings.
The list includes six Mexican cartels: the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and United Cartels. It also encompasses the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua and the El Salvador-originated Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).
Each of these groups has gained attention for various criminal activities. The Sinaloa Cartel, Mexico’s oldest criminal organization, is known for its extensive drug trafficking and fentanyl production. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel made headlines for its aggressive tactics against Mexican authorities, including the use of explosive-dropping drones. The Gulf Cartel and Northeast Cartel operate along the eastern U.S.–Mexico border, while La Nueva Familia Michoacana and United Cartels have raised concerns related to their involvement in the avocado trade.
