This year alone, the U.S. government designated 19 groups as terrorists, a massive spike compared to the last decade. Several are criminal organizations allegedly involved in trafficking drugs.

Of those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the State Department this year, eight are drug cartels, such as Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cartel del Golfo, Carteles Unidos, Tren de Aragua, and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).

Most recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. plans to designate a twentieth foreign terrorist organization on Nov. 24, yet another drug cartel: Cártel de los Soles.

President Donald Trump’s administration has accused Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro of leading Cá

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