Locals react to U.S. designating cartels as terrorist groups

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The U.S. government has officially designated eight organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), a move aimed at cracking down on drug cartels.

This designation grants federal agencies more power to freeze assets, impose sanctions, and prosecute cartel members under anti-terrorism laws.

Former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) senior special agent Michael Brown explained the significance of this decision.

"The U.S. government and DEA have in the past charged terrorist organizations with drug trafficking offenses, but never before has a drug trafficking organization been perceived as a pure terrorist organization," Brown said.

He added that without aggressive enforcement, the impact of this designation could be limited: "Until we start arresting people, locking them up, seizing their assets, and making a dent, we're not going to see any impact."

Yuma residents have mixed reactions to the move.

Local Cal Myers believes the designation is a step in the right direction: "I mean, it's good. Like I said, I hope we kill them or just deal with them, but yeah, it's good."

However, others are skeptical about whether this will lead to real change.

"The war on drugs really hasn't been a success. It's still a mess, and calling them terrorist groups—I don't think it's going to do any good," said Perry Matichinisi, another Yuma resident.

As the federal government begins enforcing this new classification, the long-term effects on drug cartels and border security remain uncertain.