The United States has officially designated Ecuador's Chone Killers gang as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), citing its involvement in deadly attacks against civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation on Wednesday, saying the gang has carried out numerous violent attacks, including the assassination of high-profile public officials.
The move is part of President Donald Trump's broader strategy to combat organised crime and drug trafficking across Latin America. The US government has also classified other criminal groups, including Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, as terrorist organisations.
Rubio accused Ecuadorian gangs of working with Mexican drug cartels to transport and export illegal narcotics, saying the proceeds help finance terrorism and other criminal activities.
Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US decision, describing it as a strong show of support for President Daniel Noboa's ongoing campaign against organised crime.
President Noboa has intensified security operations by imposing curfews and deploying the military to several provinces in an effort to curb gang violence, with backing from the United States.
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