WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY - President Donald Trump said on Friday he will temporarily hold off designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations at the request of Mexico’s president.
Trump said last week he would make the designation to disrupt the cartels’ finances through sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans. But Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador objected, saying he wanted U.S. cooperation on fighting drug gangs, not intervention.
“All necessary work has been completed to declare Mexican Cartels terrorist organizations,” Trump said on Twitter.
“However, at the request of a man who I like and respect, and has worked so well with us, President Andres Manuel @lopezobrador we will temporarily hold off this designation and step up our joint efforts to deal decisively with these vicious and ever-growing organizations!” he said. (Reuters)