The United States has officially designated the Ecuadorian gang Chone Killers as a foreign terrorist organization, imposing sanctions on the group for its involvement in attacks against civilians and public officials. The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also classified the gang as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” entity.

According to Rubio, the Chone Killers have been responsible for numerous violent incidents targeting civilians, law enforcement personnel, and government officials, including high-profile assassinations. The designation marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s approach to organized crime and narcotics trafficking in Latin America.

This move falls under the broader policy framework implemented by the administration of former President Donald Trump, which sought to combat criminal organizations by labeling several drug cartels and gangs in the region as terrorist groups. Previous designations have included Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, reflecting an effort to disrupt funding streams and criminal networks across the hemisphere.

Rubio emphasized the collaboration between the United States and Ecuador, noting that the Trump administration, in coordination with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, aims to protect the Western Hemisphere from illicit drug flows and to undermine the financial resources of violent narcotraffickers. The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for the U.S. decision, signaling alignment in regional security efforts.

The Chone Killers are a street gang based in Ecuador, known for their involvement in criminal activities that have increasingly drawn the attention of international law enforcement agencies. The designation is expected to facilitate further cooperation between the U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities in curbing gang-related violence and drug trafficking operations tied to the group.

The measures include economic sanctions that restrict the gang's access to financial resources and aim to weaken its operational capabilities. Analysts view the designation as part of ongoing efforts to address the complex interplay between organized crime and political instability in Latin America.