**Title: US Designates Ecuador's Chone Killers Gang as 'Terrorist' Organization**
In a significant move, the United States State Department has officially designated the Ecuadorian gang known as the Chone Killers as a foreign "terrorist organization." This designation, announced on July 2, 2026, comes as part of a broader strategy to combat organized crime and drug trafficking in Latin America, particularly under the Trump administration.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Chone Killers have been involved in numerous violent acts targeting civilians, law enforcement, and government officials, including high-profile assassinations. The gang has also been classified as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist," which subjects it to stringent sanctions aimed at disrupting its operations and financial networks.
Rubio emphasized that the designation is part of a concerted effort to protect the region from the threats posed by organized crime, asserting that the Chone Killers have been implicated in facilitating drug trafficking for Mexican cartels. He noted that these activities not only fund terrorism but also contribute to a range of criminal enterprises.
The US government's action against the Chone Killers aligns with similar designations made against other Latin American criminal organizations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. This trend reflects an increasing focus on the transnational nature of drug trafficking and its associated violence.
Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US designation, viewing it as a testament to the strong partnership between the United States and Ecuador under President Daniel Noboa. The ministry expressed gratitude for the US support in Ecuador's ongoing efforts to combat criminal organizations, which have become a pressing issue in the country.
President Noboa, a close ally of Trump, has taken a firm stance against gang violence, implementing curfews and deploying military forces in various provinces as part of a US-backed initiative to curb gang activity. The government's crackdown aims to restore order and safety in communities plagued by violence and drug-related crime.
The designation of the Chone Killers as a terrorist organization underscores the escalating concerns about the influence of gangs in Ecuador and their connections to larger drug trafficking networks in the region. As the situation evolves, both the US and Ecuadorian governments are expected to intensify their collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by organized crime.