By Omar Silva

Editor/Publisher: National Perspective Bz – Digital 2025

www.nationalperspectvebz.com

Belize City: Tuesday 21st January 2025

In a dramatic move to reinforce his tough-on-immigration image, incoming President Donald Trump has signed a new Executive Order deploying U.S. troops to the southern border and designating Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. On the surface, this appears to be a decisive step toward securing America’s borders and combating organized crime. But a closer examination reveals a glaring hypocrisy: the complete omission of America's own complicity in this crisis.

Targeting One Side of the Border

Trump’s order paints a simplistic narrative, casting Mexican cartels as the primary villains fueling the drug epidemic and violence. While there’s no denying that these organizations play a major role in drug trafficking and human smuggling, the focus on external threats conveniently ignores the equally critical role played by U.S.-based entities.

The demand for illicit drugs in the United States sustains the multibillion-dollar operations of these cartels. Even more damning, U.S.-manufactured firearms — including high-caliber weapons — are smuggled into Mexico, arming the very groups now being labeled as terrorists. Without addressing the root causes of both supply and demand, labeling Mexican cartels as "terrorists" is an empty gesture aimed more at political posturing than genuine problem-solving.

Mexico’s Bold Response

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has rightly pointed out this glaring double standard. If Mexican cartels are labeled terrorists for their role in drug trafficking, why not designate U.S.-based distributors and arms smugglers — who make these operations possible — as terrorists too? Sheinbaum’s critique cuts to the heart of Trump’s hypocrisy: America’s willingness to point fingers at foreign entities while ignoring its own culpability.

The Role of U.S. Cartels

Within U.S. borders, criminal organizations operate with efficiency, distributing drugs trafficked by Mexican cartels and maintaining robust supply chains that extend into American cities and neighborhoods. These groups are not peripheral players but central actors in the drug trade. Yet, the Trump administration has shown little interest in holding these domestic networks accountable with the same ferocity.

Similarly, the U.S. gun lobby, shielded by domestic politics, contributes to the flow of weapons into Mexico. Over 70% of firearms recovered in Mexico originate from the United States. These weapons are not only fueling violence but also undermining efforts to stabilize the region.

A One-Sided Narrative

Trump’s Executive Order perpetuates a one-sided narrative that is both misleading and dangerous. By focusing solely on external threats, the U.S. absolves itself of responsibility for the crisis. This strategy might score political points, but it does nothing to address the root causes of organized crime on both sides of the border.

Moreover, labeling Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations raises serious concerns about the implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. Such unilateral actions undermine the spirit of cooperation and mutual accountability needed to tackle transnational issues effectively.

A Call for True Accountability

If the Trump administration is serious about combating organized crime, it must adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses both supply and demand. This means:

• Acknowledging the role of U.S.-based criminal organizations in distributing drugs.
• Enforcing stricter regulations to curb the flow of firearms into Mexico.
• Prioritizing rehabilitation and prevention programs to reduce drug demand domestically.

Anything less is not only ineffective but hypocritical. America cannot continue to point fingers across the border while ignoring the cartel within.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, this Executive Order is less about solving problems and more about political theater. It’s an attempt to weaponize fear for electoral gain, with little regard for the complexities of the issue. But the American people deserve better. They deserve leaders willing to tackle the full scope of organized crime, even when it means confronting uncomfortable truths at home.

Until then, this remains a tale of two cartels: one in Mexico and one in the U.S. And only one is being called a terrorist.