local
US designates 2 new Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
By María Verza, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
The U.S. government has designated two new Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. They are the Juárez Cartel, on the border with Texas, and Los Viagras, a criminal group from the western state of Michoacán. The Federal Register, the U.S. government's gazette, published the designatio...
Key takeaway They are the Juárez Cartel, on the border with Texas, and Los Viagras, a criminal group from the western state of Michoacán.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The designation of the Juárez Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization has significant implications for the Texas border, particularly in the Houston area. As one of Mexico's oldest drug trafficking organizations, the Juárez Cartel has maintained control of a key crossing point in Ciudad Juárez, which is a major transit point for drugs entering the US. This designation enables the US to take more aggressive action against the cartel, which could lead to increased security measures along the Texas border. For Piney Point Village , this means potentially enhanced cooperation between local authorities and federal agencies to combat drug trafficking and related crime. The move also increases pressure on the Mexican government to crack down on cartel activity, which could have a ripple effect on the flow of illicit goods through the Houston area. As the US ramps up efforts to disrupt the Juárez Cartel's operations, residents of Piney Point Village can expect a heightened focus on border security and its impact on local communities.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The U.S. government has designated two new Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. They are the Juárez Cartel, on the border with Texas, and Los Viagras, a criminal group from the western state of Michoacán. The Federal Register, the U.S. government's gazette, published the designatio...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by María Verza, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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