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McCaul Seeks to Classify Mexican Drug Cartels as Terrorists

March 30, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) has introduced legislation seeking to place six Mexican Drug Cartels – theArellano Feliz Organization, Los Zetas, theBeltran Leyva Organization, La Familia Michoacana, Sinaloa Cartel and Gulf Cartel– on the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. This designation would allow the United States to limit cartels’ financial, property and travel interests, and to impose harsher punishment on anyone who provides materialsupport to cartels.
“The cartels use violence to gain political and economic influence. They have taken control of much of northern Mexico and spillover crime has resulted in the abandonment of property and loss of security on the US side of the border,” said Congressman McCaul, Chairman of the Homeland Security Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. “Mexican drug cartels are terrorist organizations and this designation will provide the necessary tools to effectively advance the national security interests of both Mexico and the United States.”
Rep. McCaul, a former federal prosecutor, introduced the legislation on the eve of his hearing examining the United States’ Role in the Mexican War Against the Drug Cartels.
Cartel Violence and Tactics
Since 2006 the cartels have killed more than 35,000 people in Mexico. Over the past year the cartels have killed three individuals (two US citizens) connected to the US consulate in Juarez, Mexico, a gubernatorial candidate in the state of Tamaulipas, 12 sitting mayors and one US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent.
While not driven by religious ideology, Mexican drug cartels operate in the same manner as al Qaeda, the Taliban or Hezbollah, each sharing a desire and using similar tactics to gain political and economic influence. They actively affect political, judicial and law enforcement in Mexico.
They employ the same tactics as other organizations designated as FTOs – kidnappings, political assassinations, attacks on civilian and military targets, taking over cities and even putting up checkpoints in order to control territory and institutions. Torture, beheadings, dismemberment and mutilation are common tactics that they use to intimidatecivilians and government officials.
Effects of FTO Designation
· Separate charges can be brought against anyone providing “material support or resources” to FTOs. This includes but is not limited to money, identification, lodging, training, weapons and transportation.
· The penalty for providing material support or resources is up to 15 years in prison and possible fine. A life sentence may be imposed if their actions resulted in death. This penalty is levied in addition to penalties for any associated crime.
· Any foreign member of an FTO can be deported from the United States even if they are in this country legally.
· Banks must freeze any funds tied to FTOs.
Terrorism Defined
"Act of terrorism" means an activity that involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State; and appears to be intended--(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping. 18 U.S.C.A 3077.
[Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 1473]
Precedent
· 1995 – President Clinton, by executive order, imposed economic sanctions on all narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia.
· Al Qaeda and other FTOs are heavily involved in the opium/heroin trade in Afghanistan