Shield of the Americas plans sanctions on 24 criminal groups
The coalition’s 15 governments say they intend to freeze assets, restrict visas and pursue charges, with implementation subject to national legal processes.
The 15 governments in the Shield of the Americas coalition say they intend to impose sanctions on 24 criminal organisations, following a call from US President Donald Trump at a New York meeting alongside the United Nations General Assembly.
A joint statement outlined plans for asset freezes and visa restrictions targeting group members and supporters, as well as criminal charges. The measures have not yet been implemented across the coalition and depend on each country’s legal procedures.
The list includes MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, major Mexican cartels, Colombia’s National Liberation Army, Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho, and Peru’s Shining Path.
Al Jazeera reported that Colombia would need legislation to implement the measures. The report did not detail the legal steps required in other member countries.
Trump urged members to designate the organisations as shared threats and apply sanctions, framing the move as part of a stronger regional response to drug trafficking.
