system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does the American government classify groups like ISIS as a "terrorist organization" and how do the Mexican cartels not fit into that billet?

I get ISIS, IRA, al-Qa'ida, ISIL are all "terrorist organizations", but any research, the cartels seem like they'd fit that particular billet. Why don't they?
gpt
Terrorism is more about the motive than about the acts themselves. To be defined as a terrorist organisation, a group has to use violence and fear to further a political agenda. ISIS, the IRA, AQ, they all had political motives. The Cartels are driven purely by moolah.