Summary
- The UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul has condemned the classification of drug cartels as terrorists, advocating for an organized crime approach and harm reduction strategies instead.
- His report, released on 22 October 2026, criticizes the US's shift under Trump to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which he argues undermines human rights.
- Saul highlights that violence associated with organized crime lacks the political motives characteristic of terrorism, necessitating different legal frameworks.
- He calls for decriminalization and regulation of drugs as effective measures to reduce cartel profits and violence, emphasizing a shift from punitive drug policies to health-focused approaches.
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