Donald Trump Backs Down on Plan to Designate Mexican Cartels Terrorists

President Donald Trump decided Friday not to officially designate Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, deferring instead to Mexico.

“We will temporarily hold off this designation and step up our joint efforts to deal decisively with these vicious and ever-growing organizations!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

The president said that although he was fully prepared to take the tough step against the cartels, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador asked him not to.

Trump said he liked and respected President Obrador, who has been working with him to help stop the flow of migrants crossing the Southern border of the United States.

Naked man tries to kidnap 7-year-old tourist from mother at Portland park, bystanders intervene

At least 27 dead in Bangkok after fire breaks out at bar: Officials

Two teen suspects held after 5 family members killed in ‘targeted mass shooting’

EMS dispatch audio captures emergency response before Lindsey Graham death announcement

Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending

Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death

From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham

Some Somali Kids Allegedly Spent Their July 4 Weekend Shooting People

Dr. Phil Speaks Out Against Anti-Christian Persecution

Here’s Why Judge Blocked Blue State’s Gun Ban

Father, son killed in plane crash on way home from baseball game

Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite

Huckabee: Banner at Supreme Leader’s Funeral Exposes the Real Iran

Trump Spoke to Lindsay Graham Shortly Before His Death, Offers Glowing Praise for Late Republican

Report: Hours After Lindsay Graham’s Death, Nancy Mace Is Eyeing His Senate Seat

President Trump was expected to meet with his advisers on Friday to discuss the designation, which he has been previewing for months.

“All necessary work has been completed to declare Mexican Cartels terrorist organizations,” he confirmed on Friday. “Statutorily we are ready to do so.”

The cartel slaughter of nine American citizens in Mexico last month — six children and three women — prompted Trump to speed up the process.

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr met with Obrador on Thursday to discuss the president’s proposal, which the Mexican president criticized as “interventionism” and a “flagrant violation of our sovereignty.” Obrador also cited President Obama’s failed gunrunning operation “Fast and Furious” as an example of how the United States only made violence worse in Mexico.

In March, Trump told Breitbart News that he was thinking “very seriously” about the idea.

“It’s psychological, but it’s also economic,” Trump said about the cartels. “As terrorists — as terrorist organizations, the answer is yes. They are.

The designation would allow law enforcement to act swiftly against the cartels as well as target their weaponry and financial resources. The federal government would also be allowed to prosecute friends and family members of the cartels supporting them in the United States, as well as organized gangs such as MS-13.