The U.S. State Department's assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, Juan Pablo Segura, congratulated Honduras on Friday for approving reforms that designate three criminal organizations as terrorist associations: Pandilla 18, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), and Cártel del Diablo.
Segura announced the congratulations through a post on social media platform X, stating that the three groups represent a direct threat to peace, security, and prosperity in the region according to the U.S. government's assessment.
"These criminal groups represent a direct threat to the peace, security, and prosperity of our hemisphere," Segura wrote in his statement.
The assistant secretary indicated that the designations will strengthen Honduras's capacity to respond to drug trafficking and contribute to efforts against the financing of criminal organizations. Segura, who serves in the Trump administration, described the move as "historic" in allowing Honduras to enhance its response capabilities against narcotics trafficking.
The Honduran government's decision to formally declare the three organizations as terrorist entities follows the designations made by U.S. authorities, which have long classified these groups as threats to regional security. The three organizations—MS-13, Pandilla 18, and Cártel del Diablo—have been linked to extensive criminal activity across Central America, including drug trafficking, extortion, and violence.
Segura's public acknowledgment of Honduras's action represents official U.S. support for the Central American nation's legislative and administrative steps to combat organized crime through the terrorist designation framework.