UN Urges Nations to Stop Labeling Cartels as Terrorists
A new report warns that using anti-terror powers against organized crime groups exacerbates violence and fails to curb trafficking.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Terrorism
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A United Nations report released on Thursday calls on states to stop classifying organized crime groups as terrorist organizations. The document argues that this approach triggers an over-reliance on exceptional state powers rather than addressing the root causes of criminal activity.
Why it matters
The report finds that securitized responses to organized crime have failed to reduce drug trafficking while escalating regional violence. It recommends that nations prioritize intelligence, anti-corruption, and public health strategies over militarized counter-terrorism tactics.
The Shield of the Americas initiative, involving 19 nations, faces criticism for its reliance on exceptional state powers. The report is now calling for a shift toward standard law enforcement and anti-corruption frameworks to address regional criminal activities.
The players
Ben Saul
He serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
United Nations
This is an international organization founded in 1945 to maintain global peace and facilitate cooperation among member states.
The details
The report, authored by UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul, emphasizes that terrorism is defined by political or ideological motivation, which does not apply to profit-driven criminal enterprises. It specifically targets the Shield of the Americas initiative, launched in March 2026, for promoting securitized responses that have not achieved their stated objectives.
Timeline
The Shield of the Americas initiative was launched in March 2026.
The UN report was released on October 22, 2026.
Legal Context
The report explicitly challenges the efficacy of the Shield of the Americas initiative as a model for regional stability. It argues that modern security responses are departing from established human rights standards by conflating criminal justice with counter-terrorism operations.
This policy shift may result in changes to regional security mandates and local law enforcement strategies. Residents in affected regions could see a transition away from exceptional militarized operations toward more targeted financial investigations and anti-corruption measures.
The takeaway
Nations are advised to treat organized crime as a matter of criminal justice rather than an ideological threat. Implementing public health and education strategies may offer more sustainable pathways to reducing drug demand than using anti-terrorism powers.
Further reading
For more background on international security standards, visit our Terrorism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by JURIST.
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Should governments classify organized drug cartels as terrorist organizations to combat crime?
