World News

Trump administration designates three Guatemalan gangs as terrorist organizations

Associated Press reports the three groups now face U.S. sanctions and asset freezes, and a designation that allows prosecution for material support.

Published Nov 13, 2026 · 21:58 UTC3 reports

The short version

The Trump administration has declared three Guatemalan gangs to be terrorist groups, citing drug trafficking proceeds that finance violence and crime.[Associated Press]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed the designations, and the U.S. says the groups have deep ties to Mexican drug cartels.[Associated Press]
Los Lorenzanas was named a Foreign Terrorist Organization, while Los Huistas and Los Mendoza were named Specially Designated Global Terrorists, bringing sanctions and possible asset freezes.[Associated Press]

The Trump administration declared three Guatemalan gangs to be terrorist groups for financing violence and crime with proceeds from drug trafficking.[Associated Press]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed the terrorist designations on Los Lorenzanas, Los Huistas and Los Mendoza.[Associated Press]
Los Lorenzanas was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, while Los Huistas and Los Mendoza were identified as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.[Associated Press]
The designations subject the groups and their members to U.S. sanctions, including freezes on assets in U.S. jurisdictions.[Associated Press]
The Foreign Terrorist Organization designation allows criminal prosecution of individuals who provide those organizations with material support.[Associated Press]

The U.S. government's claims of deep ties to Mexican drug cartels are attributed to the U.S. and are not independently verified in this reporting.[Associated Press]
The reporting does not say whether the groups hold any assets in U.S. jurisdictions that would be frozen.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.