US Designates Los Lobos, Los Choneros as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The United States, under President Donald Trump's administration, has designated two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Choneros and Los Lobos, as foreign terrorist organizations to intensify efforts against drug cartels and related violence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move during a visit to Ecuador, emphasizing it as part of a broader "war on terror" targeting Latin American cartels, and highlighted the gangs' involvement in drug trafficking and violent crimes beyond narcotics. This designation expands U.S. authority for intelligence sharing, direct action, and targeting the gangs' finances and operations, complementing recent military strikes such as one off Venezuela's coast that killed 11 alleged Tren de Aragua members. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa supported the designation, viewing it as crucial to combating rising crime linked to cartel activity and violence in the country. Rubio stated that cooperation with Ecuadorian authorities would reduce the need for unilateral U.S. strikes in countries that assist in identifying and countering these groups. The administration's approach marks a shift towards framing organized crime in Latin America as terrorism, allowing for more aggressive measures against these criminal organizations.