(CNSNews.com) - The White House said Wednesday that designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) would not give the United States “any additional authorities” and that the U.S. has and is not afraid to use its sanctions against drug traffickers.
As CNSNews.com reported, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) proposed designating cartels as FTOs and authorizing military action against them and specifically target drug labs where fentanyl is being produced in Mexico. This comes after four Americans from South Carolina were kidnapped by the cartels and two of them were killed.
When asked whether President Biden would consider designating Mexican drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “Yeah, this — the — the FTO — the foreign terrorist organizations. Look, designating these cartels as FTOs would not grant us any additional authorities that we don’t really have at this time.
“So the United States has powerful sanctions authorities specifically designated to combat narcotics-trafficking organizations and the individuals and entities that enable them. So we have not been afraid to use them,” she said.
“In the last few months alone, Treasury has announced a series of actions against cartels that are a danger to the public safety, and we have also taken action that further enables Treasury to sanction foreign pers- — persons who knowingly receive property tax [that] constitutes — so it is derived from proceeds of illicit drugs trafficking activities,” the press secretary said.
“And this means that drug traffickers can no longer use family or friends to hide their assets from the — from the reach of the U.S. government. So, again, we don’t believe that this will grant us any additional authorities, and so I will leave it there,” she said.
“Can you tell us if there are U.S. agents on the ground in Mexico cooperating to find these kidnappers? López Obrador has said he doesn’t want intervention, so I’m just wondering what this working together looks like,” a reporter asked.
“So, as I mentioned — well, first, let me just say: We’re saddened to hear about the two individuals — I think it’s important to say that — who were killed. We send our condolences — I said this a little bit earlier — to their families and friends during this time. We understand this is a difficult time for them,” Jean-Pierre said.
“You heard the attorney general say yesterday that the United States will be relentless in pursuing justice for the victims,” the press secretary said.
“We will do everything in our power to identify, find, and hold accountable the individuals responsible for this attack, and we — you know, we continue to work in coordination with the Mexican government, and we mentioned the U.S. law enforcement — FDA — I’m sorry, FB- — FBI, D- — DEA, and DHS — have been working closely with our — with the Mexican government,” she said.
“I can’t speak to exactly who’s on the ground or who’s not on the ground. I would refer you to those three agencies, but this is clearly a priority for us, and we want to get to the bottom of this,” Jean-Pierre added.