The key facts

  • Argentina has added five Latin American groups to the RePET terrorist organizations registry
  • The list includes the Sinaloa Cartel, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, the ELN, FARC-EP dissidents and Los Tiguerones
  • The measure expands powers to freeze assets and share intelligence with foreign partners

Official government decision

Argentina's government on Thursday officially designated five major transnational criminal and insurgent organizations in Latin America as terrorist. The decision, announced by the office of President Javier Milei, adds to the Public Registry of Persons and Organizations Linked to Terrorism and Its Financing (RePET) Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC-EP dissidents, as well as Ecuador's Los Tiguerones.

Interagency coordination and rationale

According to the executive decree, the national security measure was prepared jointly by the ministries of foreign affairs, security and justice, along with the State Intelligence Service (SIDE). In an official statement from the presidency, citing classified intelligence assessments, it says: 'The operational capability, regional geographic expansion and diversification of illicit activities of these groups pose a direct threat to the lives, property and assets of our citizens.'

Grounds for each organization

For each organization, the authorities cited specific grounds. The Sinaloa Cartel is described as a major transnational syndicate behind global drug trafficking, human trafficking and extortion; the decree notes that Argentina is thereby aligning its position with international allies, including the United States, which previously designated the cartel. La Nueva Familia Michoacana is mentioned in connection with the expansion of the international drug trade business and illegal mining, as well as growing influence in South America's illicit supply chains. Los Tiguerones are described as a highly violent cartel responsible for contract killings and maritime drug smuggling; the group split from Los Choneros in 2020 along with Los Chone Killers, whom Argentina already added to the registry in August. The ELN and FARC-EP dissidents are characterized as far-left guerrilla movements whose recruitment, logistics and arms trafficking networks extend far beyond Colombia and, in the authorities' assessment, threaten Argentina's stability.

Practical consequences

The inclusion of the organizations in RePET expands the administrative powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies: they will be able to freeze assets, disrupt cross-border financing and step up surveillance of suspected operational cells. The measure also opens direct real-time intelligence sharing between SIDE and international counterterrorism partners to target the money laundering channels that feed the regional drug trade business.