The US Terrorist Label on MS-13 Signals a Major Strategy Shift

The United States has taken a dramatic step in its battle against one of the most notorious gangs in the Americas. On February 20, 2025, the State Department designated Mara Salvatrucha, widely known as MS-13, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. This move marks a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle a group blamed for a wave of violence, from murders and kidnappings to drug trafficking, across Central America and the U.S. The designation, paired with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist label, aims to choke off the gang’s resources and bring its leaders to justice.

At the heart of this strategy is a $5 million reward offered through the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program for information leading to the capture of Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, the alleged MS-13 leader in Honduras. Known by aliases like 'Porky' and 'Alexander Mendoza,' Archaga Carías is accused of orchestrating a range of criminal activities, including the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine into the U.S. His inclusion on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list underscores the urgency of the manhunt.

This designation reflects a broader U.S. push to confront transnational crime, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, where gangs like MS-13 have destabilized communities and fueled migration. Yet, the decision has sparked debate about its effectiveness and potential consequences, raising questions about how far terrorist labels can go in addressing deeply rooted criminal networks.

MS-13, born in the 1980s among Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles, has grown into a sprawling transnational network. Deportations in the 1990s spread the gang to Central America, particularly El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, where it took root in communities battered by poverty and weak governance. Today, MS-13 operates in multiple countries, engaging in extortion, human smuggling, and drug trafficking, often with extreme violence.

In Honduras, Archaga Carías is accused of directing operations that include money laundering and murders carried out with military-grade weapons. The gang’s role in moving cocaine through Central America, a key transit zone for drugs headed to the U.S., has made it a priority for law enforcement. In 2024, Panama alone seized over 117 tons of drugs, mostly cocaine, highlighting the scale of the trafficking networks MS-13 helps sustain.

The gang’s impact extends beyond borders. In the U.S., MS-13 has been linked to violent crimes in states like California, New York, and Virginia. This year, U.S. Border Patrol arrested 218 gang-affiliated individuals, including MS-13 members, as part of intensified operations. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the gang’s threat to public safety and national security.

Labeling MS-13 a terrorist organization unlocks powerful tools for U.S. authorities. The designation criminalizes any material support for the gang, freezes its assets in the U.S., and expands intelligence and law enforcement powers. It also sends a signal to international partners, encouraging cooperation in tracking and prosecuting gang members. Similar designations have been applied to other criminal groups, reflecting a shift toward using counterterrorism strategies against organized crime.

However, the approach is not without critics. Some experts argue that applying terrorist labels to criminal gangs, driven by profit rather than ideology, could complicate prosecutions. The legal frameworks for terrorism and organized crime differ, and proving terrorist intent for a group like MS-13 may prove challenging. Others warn that the designation could escalate violence, as gangs retaliate or adapt to increased pressure. In Central America, where MS-13 already fuels instability, such escalation could have dire consequences for local communities.

Historical data offers mixed insights. While terrorist designations have disrupted financial networks for groups like al-Qaida, their impact on criminal organizations is less clear. The designation may raise global awareness and stigma, but evidence suggests it alone cannot dismantle networks rooted in economic desperation and systemic corruption.

The U.S. has paired its crackdown on MS-13 with efforts to strengthen cooperation with Central American nations. Programs like the Central American Regional Security Initiative have provided training and resources to local law enforcement, while specialized units, such as the FBI’s Transnational Anti-Gang teams, work to disrupt gang operations across borders. These efforts have led to significant arrests and prosecutions, but challenges remain, including corruption and limited institutional capacity in the region.

Some analysts argue that enforcement alone is not enough. Research highlights the effectiveness of prevention programs, such as job training and education for at-risk youth, in reducing gang recruitment. New York City’s model, which combines street-level intervention with social support, has shown promise in lowering youth crime rates. Yet, recent cuts to U.S. aid programs in Central America, aimed at addressing root causes like poverty and violence, have raised concerns about long-term progress.

The designation of MS-13 as a terrorist group, while a bold step, must be part of a broader strategy. Without addressing the social and economic conditions that fuel gang activity, the cycle of violence and crime is likely to persist, both in Central America and the U.S.

The U.S. designation of MS-13 as a terrorist organization marks a pivotal moment in the fight against transnational crime. By targeting leaders like Archaga Carías and leveraging new legal tools, authorities aim to weaken a gang that has terrorized communities for decades. The $5 million reward and intensified law enforcement operations signal a commitment to disrupting MS-13’s operations, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges.

As the U.S. and its partners navigate this new approach, the balance between enforcement and prevention will be critical. The stakes are high: success could mean safer communities and reduced drug flows, while missteps could exacerbate violence and instability. For now, the world watches as this high-stakes strategy unfolds, with the hope that it brings lasting change to a region long plagued by gang violence.