Washington (EFE).- The United States government is not ruling out for now the possibility of declaring the Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups, something that some Republicans have requested and which is opposed by the Mexican authorities.
“We will always do what is most effective and what is in our power to hold these groups accountable,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday when asked about this issue at his daily press conference.
The official recalled that the Mexican cartels are already sanctioned by the United States but insisted that Washington will use “every tool provided in the law to work with Mexican partners” against these organizations.
Price considered that drug violence represents “a long-term challenge” for both countries and assured that the United States dedicates “all its attention.”
“We will cooperate and work collaboratively with our Mexican partners in all areas to address insecurity, drug trafficking and security threats on our border,” the spokesperson said.
The case that reaffirms the need to address cartel violence
Price expressed himself in this way after the death of two of the four Americans kidnapped last Friday in Matamoros, in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, a region with a strong presence of drug trafficking.
The other two survivors were also located and handed over to the United States.
The spokesman for US diplomacy expressed his “deepest gratitude” to the Mexican authorities for their cooperation in investigating this case.
At the same time, he expressed the desire of the Joe Biden government that “responsibilities be cleared” for the crime committed against these Americans.
Some Republican legislators have taken advantage of this event to ask again that the drug cartels be classified as terrorist groups, a possible measure that Mexico sees as a violation of its sovereignty because it would authorize the US Army to combat these organizations.
Last week, during an appearance before the Senate, the United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland, said that he is not opposed to the designation of these groups as terrorists, but also warned that diplomatic relations with Mexico must be taken care of.