Mexican national indicted for supporting Gulf Cartel as terrorist organization

A 21-year-old Mexican national, Jose Flores-Flores, has been indicted in the United States for providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Gulf Cartel.

According to federal prosecutors, Flores-Flores was an active member of the cartel for over a year. His alleged activities included providing regional protection, conducting counter-surveillance against Mexican military and law enforcement, and assisting in kidnappings. The indictment further alleges that he was involved in the dismemberment of at least two victims on the outskirts of Reynosa, Tamaulipas.

Flores-Flores was apprehended near Mission, Texas, after authorities discovered he had been previously removed from the United States earlier this year. U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz stated that the ability to bring these charges is a result of the Trump administration's designation of certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, providing federal law enforcement with new legal tools to dismantle their operations.