Six years ago, on November 4th, I got a phone call that changed everything. My mother and nine siblings were ambushed by the Juarez Cartel and its armed wing, La Linea. They were just innocent victims caught in the grip of Mexico’s vicious drug and human trafficking world.
As the details began to trickle out, disbelief and sadness washed over us. It was shocking—hundreds of bullets fired. The car was utterly destroyed with those inside. There were some survivors mentioned, but I didn’t know who they were at first. One of my brothers, Devin, was just 13 then. He somehow walked 14 miles through the desert to get help. Another brother was shot in the jaw and had to struggle to stay alive. I soon discovered that my mother, Donna, and two of my younger brothers, Trevor and Logan, were among the nine victims taken in that brutal attack.
We buried our loved ones six years ago, and while the heaviness of that loss stays with us, we refuse to let it be in vain. I appreciate the leadership from President Trump and Secretary Rubio in addressing this issue. On this anniversary of my family’s tragedy, I urge them to pursue justice by designating the Juárez Cartel and La Linea as foreign terrorist organizations under the new administration.
This wasn’t just random violence. No, it was a calculated act by cartels thriving on fear and death. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that over 52,000 Americans die from drugs like fentanyl trafficked by these networks each year. These criminal groups smuggle humans and weapons while spreading terror on both sides of the border, and they’re being confronted by law enforcement across the country.
I’ve often found myself wondering how such evil can befall good, innocent people. My mother was a beacon of light, a nurturing caregiver, and a woman of steadfast faith. My siblings, they were supposed to grow and make a difference in the world, maybe even start families of their own. The only way I know to honor their memory is to speak out and resist.
That’s why I joined Amfact (American Families Against Cartel Terrorism). Our mission is straightforward: to seek justice for American families who lost loved ones to cartel violence, ensuring such atrocities never happen again.
This year, under President Trump’s direction, the U.S. made a notable move by designating eight Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation grants law enforcement greater power to freeze assets, sanction leadership, and pursue those supporting cartel terrorists. The Treasury has already begun using these powers effectively to cut off cartel financial support.
The heinous Juarez Cartel, alongside La Linea, needs to be classified as foreign terrorists—they can’t be allowed to go unchecked. This is crucial not only for my family’s justice but also to send a clear message to all Mexican cartels: we won’t accept the senseless killing of our citizens. Any delays will only let these monsters grow stronger, expanding their reach and terrorizing our communities.
My mother stood for doing what was right, no matter the cost. Now, it’s our turn. We must urge our leaders to confront these terrorist groups and protect our communities from further devastation. Only then can we deliver justice for the innocent lives they’ve destroyed, ensuring no other family has to endure what we have.
Crystal Langford is the daughter of Donna Rae Langford and sibling to Trevor and Logan Langford, all U.S. citizens and victims of the November 4, 2019 massacre orchestrated by the Juarez cartel and La Linea.
