US Eyes Mexican Officials with Terrorism Charges

DOJ Targets Mexican Officials with Terrorism Laws

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has instructed federal prosecutors to utilize terrorism statutes against Mexican officials implicated in the narcotics trade, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. campaign against drug trafficking from Mexico. This directive, issued on Wednesday by Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh during an internal conference call, aims to increase indictments of corrupt Mexican government officials.

This initiative follows President Trump's executive order last year designating Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations. The new approach is expected to intensify cross-border tensions, particularly after recent U.S.

indictments, including that of Sinaloa state Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Mexican officials. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed dissatisfaction with these actions, citing concerns over sovereignty and insufficient evidence.

The DOJ's strategy involves charging Mexican officials with providing material support to terrorist organizations, in addition to drug crimes. This move is intended to shame and embarrass Mexican officials, according to a U.S. official familiar with the remarks. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has indicated that these actions are just the beginning of a broader effort to hold Mexican officials accountable for their alleged roles in facilitating drug trafficking into the U.S.