Canada Names Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Others as Terror Groups

Key Takeaways

• On February 21, 2025, Canada classified seven criminal organizations, including CJNG and MS-13, as terrorist entities under criminal law.
• The designation prohibits providing support, enables asset freezing, and may bar foreign nationals with ties from entering Canada.
• Immigration and financial sectors face stricter checks, while cross-border cooperation with the U.S. aligns on combating organized crime.

On February 21, 2025, the Canadian government officially classified seven criminal organizations as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. This landmark move represents a major shift in Canada’s approach to battling organized crime, targeting groups that are significantly linked to the fentanyl crisis and other illicit activities. The organizations newly added to the terrorist entities list are the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, La Familia Michoacana, Carteles Unidos, Tren de Aragua, and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). This is the first time Canada has applied its terrorist designation to transnational criminal groups rather than entities motivated by religious or ideological causes.

The Reason Behind the Change

Canada Names Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Others as Terror Groups

David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, described these groups as “ruthless” and transnational in their operations, highlighting their ties to drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, and human trafficking. McGuinty explained that these groups use extreme violence as a tool to expand their influence and instill fear. With drugs like fentanyl devastating communities, the decision reflects a recognition of the serious threat posed by these organizations that operate beyond mere criminality and verge on undermining public safety and national security.

The fentanyl crisis has acted as a driving force for this policy. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, continues to cause unprecedented harm, pushing governments to explore stricter measures against those fueling its trade. While some criticism has arisen over viewing organized crime through the lens of terrorism, officials argue that the severe consequences of these groups’ activities warrant decisive action. Calls for worldwide accountability have grown as fentanyl overdoses strain public health systems and communities, creating ripple effects globally.

Legal Implications of the Designation

Being listed as a terrorist entity under Canadian law comes with strict consequences. This classification makes it illegal for individuals or organizations in Canada to knowingly provide direct or indirect support to these groups. Prohibited activities include sharing resources such as funding, training, or services with the entities. Even participating in an activity meant to further their operations, no matter the intent, violates Canadian law.

From an economic perspective, the terrorist entity classification allows Canadian authorities to freeze assets and seize properties tied to these organizations. Financial institutions are required to monitor and report activities involving these entities or their affiliates, adding layers to financial oversight systems. As a result, businesses with even unintentional ties to these groups may face legal and regulatory scrutiny, forcing companies to exercise greater caution.

In an immigration context, foreign nationals involved with these groups will likely face prohibitions on entering Canada. While the specifics remain under development, Canada’s policies often align with those of its allies, such as the United States. In the U.S., entry bans are nearly automatic for individuals associated with Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Canada’s immigration authorities are expected to adopt a similar approach, potentially making members of these named groups inadmissible unless under rare, extraordinary circumstances.

Connections to U.S. Policy

Canada’s announcement follows similar steps in the United States. Just one month earlier, on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14157. This order initiated the process of designating certain cartels and transnational organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). This alignment suggests cross-border cooperation in combating shared threats. Moreover, Canada’s decision comes amid diplomatic pressures; the U.S. has been vocal about issues like the influx of drugs and migration linked to the southern border, though less than one percent of fentanyl seized by U.S. authorities originates from the northern U.S.-Canada border.

By adopting these measures, Canada aims to strengthen North American security and reinforce its partnership with the United States in tackling cartels that traffic drugs and harm communities. Analysts have observed that Canada’s move may also sidestep trade disputes. President Trump previously hinted at potential tariffs on Canadian exports, amplifying the urgency for Canada to align with its southern neighbor’s agenda.

Broader Impacts on Security Efforts

The inclusion of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and other major players in the list brings these criminal organizations into the same legal category as extremist groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda. While the motives behind transnational cartels differ starkly from ideologically driven terrorism, their ability to destabilize governments, economies, and communities is a shared concern.

On the international scene, this classification potentially strengthens cooperation between Canada and other countries addressing transnational organized crime. Law enforcement agencies will have new frameworks for information-sharing across borders, allowing them to track financial ties, planned activities, and affiliates linked to these groups. With Canadian and U.S. intelligence now working on similar terms, disruption of schemes like money laundering and arms trade may become more effective.

Practical Implications for Immigration and Financial Systems

For prospective immigrants and visa applicants, the designation poses an additional layer of checks during the review process. Anyone believed to have links—no matter how minor—to these organizations risks being flagged for further investigation by Canadian immigration authorities. While no specific procedures have yet been laid out, VisaVerge.com notes that Canada’s immigration policies are often shaped by its commitment to preserving public safety and security. Similar processes in the U.S. can help predict outcomes, where foreign nationals tied to FTOs undergo rigorous scrutiny before being considered admissible.

Financial systems will also feel the ripple effects of this change. Banks and money transfer services operating in Canada must heighten oversight, ensuring their networks are not exploited by individuals or companies indirectly connected with these designated entities. Enhanced due diligence protocols will likely be mandated across sectors, requiring greater vetting of transactions involving regions or industries linked to these criminal organizations. Compliance teams within financial institutions may need to expand their scope, while penalties for failing to report suspicious activities could grow more severe.

Challenges and Questions About Effectiveness

Despite widespread approval, some critics question whether labeling criminal groups as terrorist entities will meaningfully curb their operations. Organized crime syndicates have historically adapted to governmental crackdowns, often shifting geographic locations or using proxies to continue their activities. Furthermore, smaller actors, such as intermediaries who may unknowingly interact with these organizations, risk being disproportionately penalized under the sweeping measures.

On the legal front, assigning the terrorist label to cartels may attract constitutional challenges in Canada. Critics fear overreach, arguing that existing tools for prosecuting organized crime already suffice. Others have raised ethical concerns about whether the new classifications risk conflating two types of threats and thus cloud policy responses tailored to their unique operations.

Looking Ahead

Canada’s decision to list these seven criminal entities represents a bold approach in addressing complex and evolving threats. With drug distribution networks like those of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel fueling the fentanyl crisis, governments worldwide might carefully study Canada’s strategy. Success—such as significant disruptions to cartel finances or operations—could serve as a blueprint for countries wrestling with similar issues.

However, the durability of these efforts lies in their implementation. Canadian authorities need additional tools and resources to tackle this challenge comprehensively. There is a need for a balanced strategy that combines legal, financial, and diplomatic measures while staying within the bounds of human rights protections.

In conclusion, this policy marks Canada’s pivot toward treating organized crime as a national security issue. By classifying groups like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as terrorist entities, Canada aims to disrupt their networks and reduce contributions to crises like fentanyl overdoses and international trafficking. The global community will pay close attention as these policies are put into action, with outcomes potentially influencing broader international responses to drug cartels and other transnational criminal organizations.

For more details about Canada’s terrorist entity listings and implications, you can visit the Public Safety Canada Official Page on Terrorist Entities: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

Learn Today

Terrorist Entity → A group designated by the government for engaging in acts threatening public safety or national security.
Transnational → Extending or operating across national borders, often used to describe organizations or activities with global influence.
Fentanyl Crisis → A public health emergency caused by widespread abuse of fentanyl, a potent and often lethal synthetic opioid.
Asset Freezing → A legal measure that prevents the movement or use of financial assets owned by individuals or organizations.
Due Diligence → Comprehensive efforts taken to assess and verify compliance, often in legal, financial, or regulatory contexts.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada’s bold move to classify seven criminal organizations as terrorist entities marks a pivotal shift in combating transnational crime. Targeting cartels fueling the fentanyl crisis, this decision enables freezing assets, heightened oversight, and stronger immigration controls. By redefining organized crime as a national security threat, Canada strives for safer communities and international collaboration.
— By VisaVerge.com