04/01/11 – On Wednesday March 30, United States Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) proposed new legislation that would place certain Mexican drug cartels on the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list, which already includes groups like al Qaeda, the Taliban and Hezbollah. Six different cartels- the Arellano Feliz Organization, Los Zetas, the Beltran Leyva Organization, La Familia Michoacana, Sinaloa Cartel and Gulf Cartel- are the focus of this initiative. If passed, the United States will be able to restrict cartels’ “financial, property and travel interests, and… impose harsher punishment on anyone who provides materials to cartels,” states an article on McCaul’s Congressional webpage.
McCaul, who is also the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management, argued that these drug cartels use many of the same tactics as other organizations designated as FTOs. These tactics include kidnappings, political assassinations, attacks on civilian and military targets, taking over cities and even putting up checkpoints in order to control territory and institutions. Some of the more gruesome tactics include torture, beheadings, dismemberment and mutilation in order to keep citizens in a constant state of fear. According to Mexican newspaper, Milenio, McCaul also cited a law enforcement bulletin issued this month warning that Mexican gangsters were overheard plotting to kill ICE agents and Texas Rangers stationed along the border by shooting at them with AK-47 assault rifles from the Mexican side of the border. McCaul did not specify which cartels or what agency issued the bulletin.
This legislation proposes that charges can be brought against anyone providing “material support or resources” to FTOs, which includes money, identification, lodging, training, weapons and transportation. By providing material support or resources, an accomplice can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 15 years as well as a possible fine. A death sentence may be imposed if their actions resulted in death. This penalty is levied in addition to penalties for any associated crime. FTO members can also be deported from the United States even if they are in this country legally. This would also allow banks to freeze any funds tied to FTOs.
Sources:
Cubbison, Gene. “Cartels plot to kill US agents, congressman says.” MSNBC. 31 March, 2011.
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