Canada declares Sinaloa Cartel and others as terrorist organizations

The Canadian government announced Thursday that it has added seven criminal organizations , including Mexico 's major drug cartels , to its list of terrorist groups . The move follows the lead of the United States, which recently made a similar decision.

Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty announced the move in Ottawa, a day after the administration of US President Donald Trump formalized the inclusion of the Sinaloa, Jalisco Nueva Generación, Noroeste, Golfo, Nueva Familia Michoacana and Unidos cartels on its list of terrorist organizations .

The Canadian government 's decision gives law enforcement agencies , such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other local agencies , greater powers to investigate and trace the funds used by these organizations in their criminal operations .

"Inclusion on the list will allow us to follow the money and see how criminal cartels employ sophisticated money laundering tactics," McGuinty said in a speech at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

According to information from El Universal, the minister stressed that one of the most effective strategies to combat fentanyl trafficking is to track the profits that finance organized crime. " By cutting off the sources of income of these groups, we can weaken their structure and contribute to their dismantling," he added.

Although the scope of these reforms has not been detailed , the Mexican government seeks to strengthen its sovereignty and prevent possible foreign interventions in its fight against organized crime.

Canada 's new fentanyl czar

The announcement of the inclusion of Mexican cartels in the list of terrorist groups comes shortly after Canada named a new " fentanyl czar . "

The appointment is part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's government 's efforts to address the fentanyl crisis and strengthen border security, especially in the context of concerns expressed by Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico over the issue.

Trudeau 's new strategy will be backed by a $200 million investment and is part of an intelligence directive focused on combating organized crime and drug trafficking .