US declares Barrio 18 gang as a foreign terrorist organization

(AFP) Washington announced Tuesday the designation of the Barrio 18 gang, present in several Central American countries, as a foreign terrorist organization, allowing the government to expand action on this criminal wing.

"Barrio 18 is one of the largest gangs in our hemisphere and has conducted attacks against security personnel, public officials, and civilians in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras," detailed the State Department statement.

The designation signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that "he United States will continue to protect our nation by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding the violent and criminal activity of vicious gangs and drug cartels."

The classification as a terrorist organization of criminal gangs is a substantial step that allows the country to operate with more enforcement leeway outside its borders, according to its own laws.

Washington in February named six Mexican cartels, Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and Salvadoran gang MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) as terrorist organizations.

Bukele says thanks

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele thanked the U.S. for the designation of Barrio 18 and stated that this gang has "inflicted so much damage" on both countries that it was necessary to curb it in some way.

Bukele also pointed out that in the case of El Salvador "the majority" of members of this gang are imprisoned in the so-called Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a symbol of the offensive that his government launched against these groups since March 2022 and which is criticized by human rights organizations.