In brief
During a recent visit to Ecuador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. is prepared to take aggressive measures, including potential military action against foreign crime syndicates. He declared that the U.S. will designate Ecuador's prominent gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations. This comes in the wake of heightened violence in Ecuador linked to drug trafficking and a recent U.S. military strike that resulted in the deaths of drug traffickers. Rubio emphasized cooperation with friendly governments in tackling these issues, while Ecuador's President Noboa expressed a readiness for U.S. military assistance in combating gangs.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the U.S. will blow up foreign crime groups if necessary, potentially in conjunction with other countries.
Now they're gonna help us find these people and blow them up, if that's what it takes, Rubio said during a visit to Ecuador.
He also announced the U.S. will designate two of Ecuador's largest criminal gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations.
The comments come days after U.S. forces executed a strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, which the White House claims killed 11 drug-traffickers, although their identities remain undisclosed.
Late on Thursday, the Defense Department accused two Venezuelan military aircraft of flying near a U.S. vessel, describing it as a highly provocative move designed to interfere with our counter narco-terror operations. Venezuela has yet to respond to the allegation.
When asked about the possibility of smugglers from U.S. allies, like Mexico and Ecuador, facing unilateral execution from U.S. forces, Rubio noted that cooperative governments would assist in identifying smugglers.
According to Rubio, President Trump is committed to waging war on these groups due to their prolonged attacks on the U.S., claiming that prior administrations did not take adequate action.
Rubio also mentioned that both the Ecuadorian and Mexican governments have not confirmed their readiness to assist with military strikes.
Following a recent strike targeting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as they transported illegal narcotics towards the U.S., experts raised questions about the legality of the operation regarding international human rights and maritime law.
Rubio revealed that Washington would be issuing $13.5 million in security aid and $6 million in drone technology to bolster Ecuador's efforts against drug trafficking.
The surge in violence within Ecuador is attributed to criminal gangs vying for control over lucrative cocaine routes, with approximately 70% of the world's cocaine reportedly transiting through Ecuador.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa desires the designation of these gangs as terrorist organizations, viewing it as a validation of the war he has declared against them. He previously expressed his wish for U.S. and European military support in this fight.
Given this designation, the U.S. will have the power to target the assets of individuals linked to these gangs and could cooperate with the Ecuadorian government on intelligence-sharing without restrictions, potentially leading to lethal actions.
This rising cartel violence has become a significant factor in driving migration from Ecuador to the U.S. While some immigration law experts suggest that these designations may help gang victims seeking asylum, concerns remain that those who have financially supported the gangs could face penalties.
