The United States State Department has designated the Ecuador-based gang Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organization and a specially designated global terrorist, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced. Rubio made the designation during a visit to Quito as part of a three-nation Latin America tour intended to shore up conservative allies in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, and to bolster United States influence across the region, according to Hindustan Times.
US Designates Los Tiguerones as Terrorist Organization
According to anews.com.tr, Rubio stated that Los Tiguerones is linked to narcotrafficking and other illicit activity, along with attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and journalists. These violent acts include the 2024 takeover of an Ecuadorian television station, during which masked gang members stormed a live broadcast, fired shots, and forced terrified crew members to the ground, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Sanctions and Impact of the Designation
The terrorist designation blocks all property and interests in property belonging to Los Tiguerones that are located in the United States or under the control of Americans, while generally prohibiting Americans from conducting transactions with the group, as detailed by anews.com.tr. Rubio stated in a statement published by anews.com.tr that the Trump Administration would continue to use all available tools to protect the nation by keeping illicit drugs off the streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding violent narcoterrorists.
Los Tiguerones is one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal organizations, competing against rival groups such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos for control of ports, trafficking routes, and prisons, according to Hindustan Times. The group has been linked to cocaine trafficking, extortion, contract killings, arms trafficking, and money laundering, and has been blamed for waves of violence that include rival killings, prison riots, and the kidnapping of police and prison guards.
New Financial Commitments and Security Assistance
During his visit to Quito, Rubio announced new financial commitments and security assistance to support Ecuador’s efforts against criminal organizations. According to anews.com.tr, the new aid includes $45 million in funding to be requested from Congress, a separate $10 million initiative targeting illegal gold mining and drug trafficking, and the delivery of a 110-foot United States Coast Guard cutter designed to strengthen Ecuador’s maritime security capabilities.
Speaking at a news conference alongside Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury, Rubio noted that the two nations are collaborating in unprecedented ways against groups treated as terrorist networks rather than standard criminals, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Kury characterized the visit as a significant diplomatic milestone, highlighting the strong cooperation between the administrations of Ecuador and the United States.
Broader Crackdown on Latin American Cartels
The action against Los Tiguerones follows previous United States terrorist designations for other Ecuadorian gangs, including Los Lobos, Los Choneros, and the Chone Killers, according to Hindustan Times. The administration of President Donald Trump has also targeted other regional cartels and gangs, such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.
