The U.S. government has added two more Mexican criminal groups to its list of foreign terrorist organizations, expanding a designation that already applied to several other cartels. The newly named groups are the Juárez Cartel, which operates along the border with Texas, and Los Viagras, a criminal organization based in Michoacán.
According to the published notice, the move brings the total number of Mexican groups carrying this label to eight. The decision was recorded in the Federal Register, formalizing the latest step in Washington’s approach to cartel-related violence and cross-border crime.
The designation places these organizations in a category more commonly associated with militant or extremist groups, underscoring how seriously U.S. authorities view their activities. It also highlights ongoing concern over cartel influence in regions tied to trafficking routes and security challenges on both sides of the border.
The inclusion of the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras signals a broader U.S. effort to increase pressure on Mexican criminal networks. The move is likely to draw attention in both countries as officials continue to confront the reach and impact of organized crime.
