US Declares Three Ecuadorian Crime Groups Terrorist Organizations

The United States has intensified its fight against organized crime in Ecuador by designating three major groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). This move, which began under the Trump administration and is being continued with the government of Daniel Noboa, provides U.S. law enforcement with significant legal power to dismantle these criminal networks.

“

The designation of FOT grants the Department of Justice and U.S. law enforcement severe legal tools to weaken the economic and operational structure of these terrorist groups.

The FTO designation equips the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies with severe legal tools to weaken the economic and operational structures of these terrorist groups. It also establishes a new framework for U.S. authorities regarding financial sanctions, international cooperation, and criminal prosecution. This allows for the potential freezing of financial assets linked to these organizations within the U.S. financial system, enabling the Treasury Department to block bank accounts, assets, and commercial transactions.

Furthermore, the designation bolsters criminal prosecution, with potential penalties of several decades in prison for those materially supporting these organizations. It also impedes U.S. entry for members and collaborators, leading to visa revocations and deportation processes for individuals linked to these groups already in the U.S. The move is expected to strengthen international cooperation by facilitating intelligence sharing between countries, coordinating joint operations against organized crime, and providing access to specialized technology for investigations and security operations.

“

The Treasury Department can block bank accounts, assets, and commercial transactions related to the groups included in the list.

So far, the U.S. has designated Los Choneros, Los Lobos, and Los Chone Killers as terrorist groups. Los Choneros and Los Lobos were designated on September 4, 2025, while Los Chone Killers were declared terrorists on July 1, 2026. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, noting that both groups have attacked public officials, their families, security forces, judges, prosecutors, and journalists in Ecuador. The U.S. government also indicated that these organizations have ties to Mexican cartels.

“

The designation also strengthens international cooperation by facilitating the exchange of intelligence information between countries.