U.S. Targets Ecuador Gangs As Terror Groups

QUITO, ECUADOR – The U.S. is stepping up its fight against violent cartels in Latin America, designating two of Ecuador’s most feared gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement in Quito, saying Los Lobos and Los Choneros are behind much of Ecuador’s drug violence and prison massacres.

The designation lets Washington freeze assets, share more intelligence and even launch military action, like the recent strike on Cenezuela’s Tren De Aragua gang that killed eleven.

Ecuador’s president is backing the move, calling it a key step in tackling a wave of cartel-fueled violence since the pandemic.