Quito (Ecuador), September 5(HS): In a decisive move against Latin America’s growing narco-criminal networks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday announced that Washington has officially designated two of Ecuador’s most violent gangs — Los Lobos and Los Choneros — as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
The designation marks a bold step in the Trump administration’s escalating campaign against drug cartels and transnational gangs that, officials say, have fueled violence and instability across the hemisphere.
“Not Just Gangsters, but Terrorists”
Speaking in Quito, Rubio warned that these organizations have long operated as fully fledged terror outfits.
“They are monsters, terrorists. For 30 years, they’ve been at war with us — now the United States will fight back,” he declared.
The FTO label unlocks a range of enforcement tools, including the ability to:
-Target and neutralize gang leaders
-Freeze assets and bank accounts in U.S. jurisdictions
-Tighten intelligence-sharing between U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities
Rubio stressed that Washington’s response under President Trump will go beyond intercepting drug shipments: “This is no longer just about stopping traffickers in boats — it is about waging war against a threat that has gone unanswered for decades.”
Rising U.S. Military Activity in the Region
The announcement follows a recent U.S. military strike on alleged traffickers linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, in which eleven suspects were reportedly killed at sea. The incident stirred debate across Latin America, with several governments warning that increased U.S. military operations could backfire and inflame regional instability.
Ecuador: A New Narco Hub
Once considered relatively insulated, Ecuador has rapidly become a major hub in the global cocaine trade. Drug cartels exploit the country’s lucrative banana export routes by concealing narcotics in shipping containers bound for Europe and the United States.
Local gangs Los Lobos and Los Choneros — long blamed for contract killings, extortion rackets, and bloody prison massacres — have grown into dominant players in the regional underworld. Since 2021, hundreds of inmates have been killed in gang-fueled prison riots that exposed the state’s limited control within correctional facilities.
Quito Welcomes U.S. Action
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa welcomed Washington’s decision, saying it strengthens his government’s efforts to dismantle what he described as a “terrorist threat entrenched in our country.” He praised the move as a step towards restoring order and stability in a nation increasingly shaken by cartel-driven violence.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
