US designates 'Chone Killers' as terrorist organization; Rubio accuses 'support for Mexican cartels'

Washington has designated the Ecuadorian criminal group 'Chone Killers' as a foreign terrorist organization. The group, which split from the larger 'Los Choneros' in 2020, has been implicated in numerous violent acts, including high-profile assassinations of public officials, according to a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

'Los Choneros' is identified as Ecuador's most significant criminal organization and was previously designated a foreign terrorist organization last year, alongside 'Los Lobos.' Senator Rubio further alleged on X that Ecuadorian gangs are collaborating with Mexican cartels to transport illicit drugs, thereby financing terrorism and criminal activities.

Rubio stated that the U.S. will continue to collaborate with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to bolster regional security and prevent narcoterrorists from operating in the hemisphere. This designation follows a broader U.S. strategy under the Trump administration to label numerous Latin American groups as 'narcoterrorist' organizations, a move that grants the U.S. significant latitude in targeting these groups and their leaders.

The article also references past U.S. military actions against suspected narco-traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have resulted in casualties and drawn criticism from human rights organizations for allegedly violating international law. It notes the recent Pentagon attack on the hideout of Venezuelan gang leader Niño Guerrero, who died in the operation, with cooperation from the Venezuelan government.

President Noboa is described as a key ally of the U.S. in the region, having visited the United States multiple times to coordinate efforts against organized crime. A recent decree issued by Noboa grants immunity to foreign troops participating in anti-crime operations in Ecuador.