This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, President Trump announced he would temporarily hold off on designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, citing a request from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Trump's decision came after a meeting with López Obrador and high-level officials in Mexico City, where the two leaders discussed security priorities and cooperation on issues like arms trafficking and money laundering.
Trump had previously stated his intention to designate the cartels as terrorist organizations, citing the high number of Americans killed by cartels. However, López Obrador had expressed concerns about the move, and Trump ultimately decided to delay the designation.
"All necessary work has been completed to declare Mexican Cartels terrorist organizations," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Statutorily we are ready to do so." However, he added that he was temporarily holding off on the designation at López Obrador's request.
López Obrador applauded Trump's decision, saying it was a "very good decision" that showed respect for Mexico's sovereignty. He also thanked Trump for choosing to maintain a policy of good neighborliness and cooperation.
Trump's comments came a day after Attorney General William P. Barr met with López Obrador and his officials in Mexico City. López Obrador described the meeting as "good" and said that Barr understood the importance of cooperation and nonintervention in foreign affairs.
