US Secretary of State Vows to Target Foreign Crime Groups with Military Action

Wed Oct 22 2025 11:45:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Secretary Marco Rubio declares a potential military response to foreign crime groups, emphasizing collaboration with allies. The US government plans to designate Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations while ramping up support for Ecuador's anti-drug efforts.

During a recent official visit to Ecuador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made headlines by asserting that the US would consider taking military action against foreign crime groups if necessary. He specifically mentioned potential airstrikes in collaboration with allied nations, highlighting the designation of Ecuador's notorious gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations. This stance follows a US military operation that targeted drug traffickers in the Caribbean, raising questions about international law and regional alliances. Enhanced security aid is also being offered to Ecuador, reflecting a growing concern over escalating violence linked to drug trafficking.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the US will blow up foreign crime groups if needed, possibly in collaboration 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 US will designate two of Ecuador's largest criminal gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organisations.

The comments come days after US forces carried out a strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea. The White House says it killed 11 drug-traffickers, though it did not release their identities.

Late on Thursday, the defence department accused two Venezuelan military aircraft of flying near a US vessel in a highly provocative move designed to interfere with our counter narco-terror operations. Venezuela is yet to respond to the claim.

Rubio was asked whether smugglers coming from US allies, like Mexico and Ecuador, could face unilateral execution from US forces. He said co-operative governments would help identify smugglers.

The president has said he wants to wage war on these groups because they've been waging war on us for 30 years and no one has responded. But there's no need to do that in many cases with the friendly governments, because the friendly governments are going to help us.

The Ecuadorian and Mexican governments have not said they would assist with military strikes.

In the wake of the recent military strike, President Donald Trump stated that the military operation targeted members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as they transported illegal narcotics towards the US.

Legal experts have indicated that the strike may have violated international human rights and maritime law.

Rubio also announced Washington would issue $13.5m (£10m) in security aid and $6m in drone technology to help Ecuador crack down on drug trafficking.

Violence in Ecuador has soared in recent years as criminal gangs battle for control over lucrative cocaine routes. According to government data, about 70% of the world's cocaine now passes through Ecuador in transit from neighbouring producing countries, like Colombia and Peru, to markets in the US, Europe and Asia.

The designation of the two groups was desired by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who described his clampdown on criminal gangs as a war.

Noboa is trying to change Ecuador's constitution to allow foreign military bases in the country again – after the last US one was closed in 2009.

The new designation means the US can target the assets and properties of anyone associated with the groups and share intelligence with the Ecuadorian government without limitations, allowing for potentially lethal actions.

Soaring cartel violence in Ecuador has also driven migration from the country to the US. Immigration law experts suggest it's unclear whether designating cartels as terrorist organisations may help or hinder their victims seeking asylum in the US.