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News Summary
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the designation of two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Choneros and Los Lobos, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). This decision comes in response to the groups’ escalating violence and threats to public security in Ecuador. Both gangs are known for attacks on public officials, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists. They have established links with major Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which are also designated as FTOs and SDGTs. The designation follows the successful extradition of Los Choneros leader Fito Macias to the United States in July 2025. This move aims to disrupt the gangs’ operations and enhance international cooperation against these criminal organizations. The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary Rubio and Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas ‘Tommy’ Pigott, emphasizes the commitment to supporting Ecuador in combating organized crime and terrorism.
Source: state.gov-Climate, Environment, and Conservation
Our Commentary
Background and Context
The designation of Los Choneros and Los Lobos as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists marks a significant escalation in the U.S. approach to combating organized crime in Ecuador. These gangs have long been a destabilizing force in the country, with their influence extending beyond Ecuador’s borders through connections to major Mexican cartels. The recent extradition of Fito Macias, leader of Los Choneros, highlights the increasing cooperation between U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities in tackling transnational criminal organizations.
Expert Analysis
The designation of these Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations reflects the evolving nature of the threat posed by organized crime in Latin America. This move by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who took office in January 2025, signals a more aggressive stance against criminal groups that have traditionally been treated as law enforcement issues rather than national security threats.
Key points:
- The FTO and SDGT designations provide additional legal and financial tools to combat these groups
- This action may lead to increased U.S. support for Ecuador’s security forces and judicial system
- The designation could potentially disrupt the gangs’ international financial networks and partnerships
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
Recent developments and statistics underscore the severity of the situation:
- Los Lobos emerged as a splinter group from Los Choneros after 2020, intensifying gang rivalries
- Both gangs remain active in Ecuador as of 2025, despite leadership challenges
- The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel were designated as FTOs and SDGTs in February 2025
Related News
The designation of Los Choneros and Los Lobos comes amid a broader crackdown on transnational organized crime in the Americas. This action follows the February 2025 designation of major Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, indicating a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards treating certain criminal groups as national security threats.
Summary
The designation of Los Choneros and Los Lobos as terrorist organizations represents a significant shift in the U.S. approach to combating organized crime in Latin America. This move, coupled with recent extraditions and increased cooperation between the U.S. and Ecuador, suggests a more comprehensive strategy to address the complex challenges posed by transnational criminal networks in the region.
