Quito: US Secretary Rubio announced the designations of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, two Ecuadorian gangs, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). These groups have been involved in attacks and threats against public officials, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists within Ecuador, as stated by the US State Department.
According to Kuwait News Agency, both Los Choneros and Los Lobos have ties to the US-designated FTOs and SDGTs, Cartel de Sinaloa and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion. Their main objective is to dominate drug trafficking routes through Ecuador by instilling fear and carrying out violent acts against the local population. In a collaborative effort, US and Ecuadorian authorities extradited the leader of Los Choneros, Fito Macias, marking the first instance of an Ecuadorian citizen extradited to the US for justice.
The United States, alongside Ecuador and its President Daniel Noboa, aims to protect both nations by curbing the flow of illicit drugs and disrupting the financial sources that support the terrorism and criminal activities of drug cartels. This recent measure emphasizes the Trump Administration's firm dedication to dismantling cartels and safeguarding American citizens.
Implemented under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, the FTO designations take effect upon their publication in the Federal Register. Rubio highlighted that designating Los Lobos and Los Choneros equips the US with various options to collaborate with Ecuador in eradicating these groups. Alongside Ecuador's Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld at Carondelet Presidential Palace, Rubio noted that these designations enable the US to impose sanctions and share actionable intelligence with Ecuador for potential operations.
The announcement accompanies the administration's recent lethal strike on a boat linked to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, also designated as a foreign terrorist organization. However, specifics and legality of the strike remain under scrutiny.
Rubio further stated that the US would allocate USD 13.5 million to assist Ecuador in bolstering its security capabilities against drugs and crime. Additionally, the US will provide USD six million in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Ecuador's Navy. "These are all very important steps, and there's more to come," Rubio remarked.