US designates Ecuador gang as foreign terrorist group

The US State Department said on Wednesday (1) that it had designated the Ecuadorian Chone Killers gang as a foreign terrorist organization, imposing sanctions on a group that Washington accuses of carrying out attacks against civilians and public officials.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the gang has also been designated Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

"Chone Killers have committed numerous targeted attacks on civilians, law enforcement and government officials, including high-profile assassinations of public officials," Rubio said in a statement.

The measure is part of a broader crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration against criminal gangs in Latin America.

Since returning to office, Trump has designated several gangs as foreign terrorist organizations and has stepped up lethal attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels off the coasts of Venezuela and other parts of the Pacific Rim in Latin America.

"The Trump administration, in partnership with Ecuador and President Daniel Noboa, will continue to protect our hemisphere by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams that fund violent narco-terrorists," Rubio said.

The American secretary alleged that Ecuadorian gangs help Mexican cartels transport and export illegal drugs, which he says finance terrorism and other criminal activities.

Ecuador's Foreign Ministry welcomed the US decision, saying it reflected Washington's strong support for President Daniel Noboa's campaign against criminal organizations.

"The Government of Ecuador is grateful for the firm support of the United States for President Daniel Noboa's decision to maintain an all-out fight against criminal organizations," the ministry said in a statement published on X.

Source: CNN