Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the United States will take aggressive measures against foreign crime groups, including the potential use of military force if necessary. Speaking during a recent visit to Ecuador, Rubio proclaimed, Now they're gonna help us find these people and blow them up, if that's what it takes.
In a significant move, he announced the U.S. plans to designate two of Ecuador's largest criminal organizations, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations, thereby enabling the government to take stronger actions against these groups.
This provocative statement follows a recent U.S. military strike that reportedly killed 11 drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea, an operation which drew attention due to the lack of clarity regarding the identities of those killed.
Rubio's comments also come amid heightened tensions with Venezuela, where U.S. defense officials accused military aircraft of threatening American vessels involved in counter-narcotics operations. When questioned about the possibility of unilateral U.S. military actions against smugglers from allied nations such as Mexico and Ecuador, Rubio expressed confidence in partnerships with these governments to identify and combat traffickers.
President Trump, during his address concerning the Caribbean strike, emphasized the ongoing 'war' against criminal groups that have targeted the U.S. for decades, asserting that this new classification of gangs could facilitate more effective intelligence sharing and operational measures.
In response to escalating violence linked to drug trafficking, the U.S. is set to provide Ecuador with $13.5 million in security aid and $6 million in drone technology aimed at enhancing their capabilities to combat organized crime.
Ecuador has seen a sharp increase in violence as criminal gangs vie for control over vital cocaine routes, with current data indicating that around 70% of the world’s cocaine transits through Ecuador, mainly headed to the U.S. and Europe.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who has previously called for U.S. military support in fighting criminal organizations, welcomed the U.S. decision to classify these gangs as terrorist entities. He has been advocating for changes to Ecuador’s constitution to allow for the reestablishment of foreign military bases in the country.
This decision not only allows for targeted actions against these gangs but may also impact the dynamics of immigration from Ecuador to the United States, as those fleeing gang violence seek asylum in the U.S. amidst concerns over their status if associated with these terrorist designations.
