American families devastated by cartel violence are demanding justice as they push President Trump to officially designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea, as foreign terrorist organizations following the brutal 2019 massacre of nine American women and children from the Lebaron family.
Key Takeaways
- American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) has sent a formal request to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the designation of the Juárez Cartel and La Línea as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
- The group includes survivors and family members of the nine Americans murdered in a 2019 cartel attack near the New Mexico border.
- An FTO designation would criminalize support for these cartels, bar non-citizen members from entering the U.S., and allow victims to sue for compensation.
- The Trump administration has already designated eight Latin American drug cartels and two Haitian gangs as FTOs, showing precedent for such action.
- Mexican authorities have made some arrests but have been accused of downplaying the case, claiming the attack was a case of mistaken identity.
Families Seek Justice Through Terrorist Designation
The American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) organization has formally requested that the Trump administration designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the group—comprised of family members affected by cartel violence—is seeking stronger measures against the organizations responsible for the brutal 2019 massacre that claimed the lives of nine American citizens, including women and children from the Lebaron family near the New Mexico border.
“On November 4, 2019, I came face to face with the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing La Línea, as they sprayed our family with thousands of bullets,” said Devin Langford.
The FTO designation would provide tangible tools for fighting these criminal organizations. Such a classification criminalizes material support for the designated group, prevents non-citizen members from entering the United States, and crucially, allows victims and their families to pursue legal action and compensation. These measures would significantly enhance the government’s ability to combat the threat these cartels pose to American citizens both at home and abroad.
Expanding on Trump’s Border Security Strategy
The Trump administration has already taken bold steps by designating eight Latin American drug cartels and two Haitian gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. This precedent strengthens AmFACT’s case for expanding these designations to include the Juárez Cartel and La Línea. While critics argue that such designations may not significantly enhance the government’s ability to combat these organizations, supporters contend that the formal recognition of these groups as terrorists accurately reflects their true nature and the severe threat they pose to national security.
“I can never bring back my mother and siblings, but I can speak out so that no American should have to fear Mexican drug cartel violence,” said Devin Langford.
Members of the Lebaron family have been campaigning for years to have these cartels recognized as terrorist organizations. Their persistence highlights the ongoing threat these criminal enterprises pose to American citizens, particularly those living in border regions. The designation would represent a significant acknowledgment of the terror tactics employed by these cartels and provide a framework for more aggressive action against them.
Mexico’s Failed Response and Cover-Up Allegations
Following the 2019 murders, Mexico’s government has made some arrests and secured convictions, but officials have been accused of covering up and downplaying the case. Mexican authorities claimed the attack was a case of mistaken identity, suggesting that gunmen mistook the U.S. family for rival cartel members—an explanation that many family members find insufficient and suspect is designed to minimize the deliberate targeting of Americans.
“Mexican cartels are criminal organizations that traffic in death and destruction, and they threaten the safety of families across the United States,” said Adriana Jones.
The letter to Secretary Rubio emphasizes that this initiative is about more than seeking justice for the Lebaron family—it’s about protecting all Americans from cartel violence. “This is not just about our families, it is about keeping Americans safe and getting justice for all American victims and ensuring that no American is left behind,” the letter states. “We ask you to designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing La Línea, as FTOs, and keep sending a clear message that the United States will not tolerate the murder of innocent Americans or the terrorization of our communities,” states Breitbart.
