Declaring War on the Cartels Act of 2023

Declaring War on the Cartels Act of 2023

This bill enhances the term of federal imprisonment for members of certain transnational criminal cartels (i.e., Mexican cartels) who are repeat offenders. It also establishes penalties for U.S. banks and foreign governments that support or otherwise have dealings with these cartels.

Specifically, cartel members are subject to an additional 10 to 20 years imprisonment if they are convicted of certain federal crimes (e.g., crimes of violence, fraud, or sexual exploitation) and have been previously convicted of similar crimes (including at the state or local level) within the last five years. Any U.S. national who is convicted as an accessory to such crimes is also subject to up to 15 years of additional imprisonment.

The bill also prohibits cartel members from using U.S. banks to conduct business and subjects any related assets to federal seizure. Banks that intentionally do business with cartel members are subject to civil penalties.

Additionally, the bill (1) bars noncitizen cartel members and their immediate family from admission into the United States, (2) authorizes sanctions against foreign governments and persons (individuals or entities) that support cartel activity, and (3) requires certain federal agencies to work with foreign governments on combatting cartels.

The bill applies to members of the following cartels:

• The Sinaloa Cartel,
• The Jalisco New Generation Cartel,
• The Beltran-Leyva Cartel,
• The Gulf Cartel,
• The Los Zetas Cartel,
• The Tijuana Cartel, and
• The La Familia Michoacána/Knights Templar Cartel.

Bill 118 HR 713, also known as the Declaring War on the Cartels Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the issue of drug cartels operating within and outside of the United States. The bill seeks to declare a formal war on these criminal organizations in order to combat the illegal drug trade and the violence and instability it brings to communities.

The main provisions of the bill include increasing funding for law enforcement agencies to target and dismantle drug cartels, enhancing border security measures to prevent the flow of illegal drugs into the country, and providing support for international efforts to combat drug trafficking. Additionally, the bill calls for the implementation of stricter penalties for individuals involved in drug trafficking and money laundering activities.

Supporters of the bill argue that declaring war on drug cartels is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of American citizens and to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the country. They believe that a comprehensive and coordinated approach is needed to effectively combat the influence and operations of these criminal organizations. Opponents of the bill, however, raise concerns about the potential for increased militarization of law enforcement and the potential for human rights abuses in the pursuit of drug cartel members. They also question the effectiveness of a military-style approach to combating drug trafficking and argue that a more holistic and community-based approach is needed to address the root causes of drug addiction and drug-related crime. Overall, the Declaring War on the Cartels Act of 2023 is a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to address the complex and multifaceted issue of drug cartels and their impact on society. It remains to be seen how the bill will progress through Congress and what impact it will have on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.