Canada has listed seven transnational criminal organizations as terrorist entities and announced a new partnership with banks to combat money laundering. The list of terrorist entities includes Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua, the Public Safety Ministry said.
The announcement in February 2025 came a day after the United States designated Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel and other drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. “These listed entities are organized crime groups that spread fear in local populations by using methods of extreme violence, and are known for drug trafficking, human trafficking and trafficking in illegal guns,” then-Public Safety Minister David McGuinty told reporters in Ottawa. “The measures we are taking will keep fentanyl off the streets and from entering the United States.”
The other listed entities are the Gulf Cartel, La Familia Michoacana, Carteles Unidos and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
To curb money laundering linked to drug trafficking, the Department of Finance announced a new partnership with law enforcement, Ottawa and Canada’s big banks that will allow them to share money laundering and organized crime intelligence.
Canada’s fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau in February 2025 launched the first meeting of the partnership, which includes chief money laundering officers of the big banks and national police force officials.