Last week, @SecRubio convened partners from over 60 countries to coordinate strategy and initiate a unified plan of action to confront the rising tide of far-left terror, emphasizing that a threat that respects no borders can only be defeated through an international response.

We congratulate the authorities of Honduras for declaring Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the 18th Street Gang, and the Devil's Cartel as foreign terrorist organizations. These criminal groups pose a direct threat to the peace, security, and prosperity of our hemisphere. This historic designation will strengthen Honduras' response capacity to drug trafficking, help combat criminal financing, and significantly boost joint efforts to protect our borders.

The Trump Administration is ushering in a new era of safety, security, and prosperity in our hemisphere. Yesterday the Shield of the Americas countries pledged joint action against all 24 U.S.-designated transnational narco-terrorist organizations and agreed to take steps towards activating the Rio Treaty to collectively impose sanctions. We are taking the fight to them.

SECRETARY RUBIO: We're always looking into finding any foreign links to groups that support terrorism.

Our message is clear: our region is no safe haven for narcoterrorism. Together, we will defend the sovereignty of our Hemisphere.

We welcome Colombia's designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group. Iran remains the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world and has financed and directed numerous terrorist attacks and activities globally, through its IRGC-Qods Force and its proxies. We will continue to work with partners such as Colombia to hold the Iranian regime accountable and prevent its operatives, recruiters, financiers, and proxies from operating.

Excellent meeting with Colombian Vice Minister Daniella Restrepo. We remain committed to continue working together to safeguard our Hemisphere from narco-terrorists.

It was a pleasure meeting Mozambican Foreign Minister Lucas to discuss cooperation on confronting shared terrorist threats, including ISIS.

Great meeting with Ecuadorian Deputy Foreign Minister Alejandro Dalavos where we pledged to continue working together to dismantle terrorist organizations in our hemisphere.

Ambassador LoGerfo spoke at the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, reaffirming that victims and survivors of terrorism must remain at the center of global counterterrorism efforts.

Under the leadership of @POTUS and @SecRubio, the United States has designated 21 cartels and gangs as terrorist organizations to keep America safe and secure and protect the Western Hemisphere against the scourge of narco-terrorism. state.gov/releases/office-of…

PRESIDENT TRUMP: The job of every leader in this room is, above all, to protect the physical safety of your people.

PRESIDENT TRUMP on SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS: This is the largest and most powerful alliance for economic and national security ever to convene in the Western Hemisphere.

.@POTUS: "Our joint efforts have already saved hundreds of thousands of lives from lethal fentanyl overdoses and stripped over $4 billion from cartels."

.@POTUS: "I'm thrilled to be here at the second meeting of the Shield of the Americas... This is the largest, most powerful alliance for economic and national security ever to convene in the Western Hemisphere."

SECRETARY RUBIO: One of the most exciting developments in our region over the last couple of years has been the emergence of strong leaders who are committed to the challenge of taking on transnational terrorism.

.@POTUS: America has never been a nation that retreats from a frontier or shrinks from a challenge, no matter how great or how daunting. Freedom was not a gift that Americans won easily — and after 250 years, it is NOT one we will ever, ever surrender.

.@POTUS: While others have talked, I have acted. While others have spoken of peace, I have made peace. While others have ignored threats, I have confronted them. While others have talked of courage, America has shown it. While others have promised strength, I have used it to make America the most powerful country in the world.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: The Cuban regime has also spent decades coordinating with left-wing radicals and communist networks here in the United States, as our State Department has detailed.