US-led Americas coalition backs sanctions against crime groups

President Donald Trump urged a US-led coalition in Latin America, known as the Shield of the Americas, to impose sanctions on 24 criminal networks during a meeting on Tuesday at UN Headquarters. Trump denounced regional drug cartels as the ISIS of the Western Hemisphere and asked all nations in the alliance to formally designate narco-terrorists as common threats to stability.

The coalition, comprised of 15 governments, issued a joint statement declaring their intent to impose asset freezes, visa restrictions, and seek criminal liability for members and supporters of the 24 criminal organizations. The list includes two groups designated as terrorist organizations by Washington: Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Tren de Aragua, as well as major Mexican cartels, Colombian armed groups, Brazilian and Peruvian criminal groups.

Trump called for countries to apply crushing sanctions against all US-designated foreign terrorist organizations.