A group of Americans who lost loved ones to brutal cartel violence is calling on the Trump administration to officially designate additional drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, according to a letter obtained exclusively by ABC News.
The appeal, sent Monday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, comes from members of a new advocacy group, American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT). In the letter, they urge the U.S. government to add the Juárez Cartel and its violent armed wing, La Línea, to the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
“As grieving United States citizens—parents, spouses, siblings, children, and survivors—we write to you carrying the excruciating pain of losing loved ones to the brutal violence of Mexican drug cartels,” the letter begins.
“This is not just about our families,” the message continues. “It’s about protecting American lives and ensuring justice for victims. No American should be left behind.”
What an FTO Designation Means
Labeling an organization as an FTO allows the U.S. government to impose severe legal consequences: providing material support becomes a federal crime, foreign members are banned from entering the country, and American victims and their families gain legal standing to pursue damages in court.
Historically, the FTO designation has been reserved for extremist or militant groups, but the Trump administration has already expanded its use. Earlier this year, eight Latin American cartels and two Haitian gangs were added to the list.
Critics argue the move is mostly symbolic and does little to enhance law enforcement capabilities. Still, supporters believe the designations send a clear message and can increase pressure on international allies to act.
“We are grateful for the steps you’ve already taken,” the letter says. “But the Juárez Cartel and La Línea must also be designated. The United States cannot remain silent while innocent Americans are slaughtered and our communities live in fear.”
Survivors Speak Out
AmFACT members shared harrowing stories of loss and survival.
Devin Langford, who survived the 2019 cartel ambush in northern Mexico that claimed the lives of his mother and two younger brothers, wrote: “I came face to face with the Juárez Cartel and La Línea as they riddled our car with bullets. I can never bring them back, but I will fight so no other American family has to go through this.”
Adriana Jones, AmFACT president, also lost her sister and four nieces and nephews in the same attack. Her family’s vehicle was set on fire by cartel members.
“Mexican cartels are not just drug traffickers — they are purveyors of terror,” Jones said. “They’re destroying families on both sides of the border. Through AmFACT, we are speaking up, demanding action, and refusing to let this pain be ignored.”
Rubio and the Administration Respond
The letter comes as the Trump administration pushes for tougher immigration and border enforcement policies and ramps up its crackdown on transnational criminal groups. Secretary Rubio, who has led the administration’s foreign policy efforts, has not yet publicly responded to the request.
When contacted by ABC News, a State Department official confirmed receipt of the letter and said the department “continues to evaluate foreign organizations under FTO criteria as defined by law.”
As the debate over how best to combat cartel violence intensifies, families like those in AmFACT say they’ll continue to push until action is taken — not only to honor the memory of those lost but to prevent future tragedies.
“This fight is bigger than politics,” said Jones. “It’s about saving lives.”
