Families of the nine Americans brutally murdered by the Juarez Cartel in 2019 demand justice as they press the Trump administration to officially label the cartel terrorists, enabling victims to sue for compensation and criminalizing support for these murderous organizations.
Key Takeaways
- American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) has sent a formal request to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate the Juárez Cartel and La Línea as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
- The request stems from the 2019 massacre of nine American women and children from the Lebaron family near the New Mexico border, which Mexican authorities claimed was a case of mistaken identity.
- FTO designation would criminalize support for these cartels, bar non-citizen members from entering the U.S., and allow victims to sue for compensation.
- The Trump administration has already designated eight Latin American drug cartels and two Haitian gangs as FTOs, establishing precedent for this action.
- Family members who survived the 2019 attack are leading the charge to prevent other Americans from experiencing similar violence at the hands of cartels.
Victims’ Families Seek Justice Through Terrorist Designation
The American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) organization has formally petitioned President Trump’s administration to designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Their request, detailed in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, represents a critical step in their years-long battle for justice following the horrific murders of their loved ones. This designation would give the U.S. government enhanced powers to combat these criminal organizations and provide victims with legal pathways to pursue justice through American courts.
“On November 4, 2019, I came face to face with the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing La Línea, as they sprayed our family with thousands of bullets,” said Devin Langford, a survivor of the attack.
The Trump administration has already demonstrated willingness to use this powerful designation against criminal organizations, having previously labeled eight Latin American drug cartels and two Haitian gangs as FTOs. These designations give federal agencies expanded authority to freeze assets, criminalize material support, and prevent members from entering the United States. Most importantly for the victims’ families, it would also open the door for civil lawsuits seeking compensation for their immense losses.
The Lebaron Family Massacre
The brutal November 2019 attack that sparked this campaign claimed the lives of nine American women and children from the Lebaron family as they traveled near the New Mexico border. Mexican authorities have claimed the attack was a case of mistaken identity, suggesting the cartel gunmen confused the family’s vehicles with those of rival cartel members. However, family members and advocates have questioned this narrative, particularly as Mexican officials have been accused of downplaying and covering up aspects of the case.
“I can never bring back my mother and siblings, but I can speak out so that no American should have to fear Mexican drug cartel violence,” said Devin Langford, survivor of the massacre.
While Mexico’s government has made some arrests and secured convictions related to the case, family members believe much more needs to be done to achieve true justice. The Lebaron family, which has deep roots in Mexico’s Mormon communities, has been campaigning tirelessly for years to have these cartels officially recognized as the terrorist organizations they functionally are. Their advocacy has now culminated in this formal request to the Trump administration, which has consistently prioritized border security and combating cartel influence.
Broader Implications for American Security
The AmFACT organization emphasizes that their campaign extends beyond seeking justice for their own families. They argue that designating these cartels as terrorist organizations would enhance protection for all Americans, both within the United States and in border regions where cartel violence has become increasingly brazen. The designation would send a clear message that attacks on American citizens will trigger serious consequences, regardless of where those attacks occur.
“Mexican cartels are criminal organizations that traffic in death and destruction, and they threaten the safety of families across the United States,” said Adriana Jones, member of AmFACT.
In their letter to Secretary Rubio, the families emphasized the broader national security implications: “This is not just about our families, it is about keeping Americans safe and getting justice for all American victims and ensuring that no American is left behind. We ask you to designate the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing La Línea, as FTOs, and keep sending a clear message that the United States will not tolerate the murder of innocent Americans or the terrorization of our communities.”
While critics argue that such designations may not significantly enhance the government’s ability to combat cartels beyond existing law enforcement tools, the families contend that the symbolic importance of the terrorist label, combined with the concrete legal consequences, would represent a meaningful step forward in their fight for justice and in the broader battle against cartel terrorism threatening American citizens.
