Ecuador’s dominant criminal syndicate with regional reach
The Trump administration has extended counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, coordinating joint air, sea, and land actions with allies. Reports indicate Ecuador and other regional partners are joining ground operations, while critics warn of civilian harm and sovereignty concerns. The campaign has killed hundreds in boat strikes and faces legal and diplomatic scrutiny.
The United States has intercepted and sunk a floating refueling ship tied to the Los Choneros cartel in the Eastern Pacific, transferring crew to Ecuadorian authorities. The operation is part of a broader campaign to disrupt narco‑terrorist networks in the Western Hemisphere, with several similar actions reported recently.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has visited Colombia, Ecuador and will visit Peru to deepen security ties with newly elected right‑wing leaders. He has announced counterdrug cooperation, asked Congress for $45m for Ecuador and designated the Ecuador‑based gang Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organisation while the US and partners are increasing maritime operations against suspected trafficking vessels.
Marco Rubio has toured Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to push for closer US security and trade ties amid a regional rightward shift. Washington designates criminal rings as foreign terrorist organizations and pledges new funding, ships and cooperation to back partner governments.
The US has expanded a crackdown to label and sanction Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations. The move targets cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, aiming to pressure groups and allies across the region. The approach has triggered tensions with regional governments and revealed contradictions in policy.