US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would temporarily hold off the recognition of Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations at the request of the Mexican president, Reuters reported. 

“All necessary work has been completed to declare Mexican Cartels terrorist organizations,” Trump tweeted. “However, at the request of a man who I like and respect, and has worked so well with us, President Andres Manuel @lopezobrador we will temporarily hold off this designation and step up our joint efforts to deal decisively with these vicious and ever-growing organizations!” he said.

Last week the US president said that he recognized the Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations and imposed sanctions against them in the form of freezing accounts and travel bans.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador opposed and said he wanted US cooperation in the fight against drug gangs, but not interference.