Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Declares Mexican Cartels Terrorists

Both Texas and the nation are going through a fentanyl crisis that seems to be growing worse day by day. We've discussed the existence of "rainbow fentanyl", which many worry young children could mistake for candy. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has now taken steps in an effort to help stop the growing issue, which includes slapping a label on the people he believes responsible for the crisis that could, he hopes, lead to a tougher approach to policing them.

Abbott's Proclamation

Gov. Abbott this week designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. He also released a comment regarding the executive order:

“Cartels are terrorists, and it’s time we treated them that way. In fact, more Americans died from fentanyl poisoning in the past year than all terrorist attacks across the globe in the past 100 years. In order to save our country, particularly our next generation, we must do more to get fentanyl off our streets.”

According to the Governor's Office, Abbott also sent a letter to both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris asking that various cartels, such as Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, be identified as federal terrorists.

The Order's Contents

The Executive Order tells the Texas Department of Safety to spot any gangs that provide support to Mexican Cartels and seize whatever items they are using to help distribute the harmful fentanyl.

Abbott also sent letters to various state agency leaders, asking them to implement changes to their budgets and priorities to offer any help to lower the chances of fentanyl deaths in the state.

If you wish to read Abbott's Executive Order, you can here.