Who are Los Chone Killers? Ecuador's latest designated terrorist group

The United States has officially designated Ecuador's "Los Chone Killers" as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This designation places them in the same category as "Los Lobos" and "Los Choneros," underscoring the U.S. government's concern over their activities.

According to Washington, "Los Chone Killers" maintain ties with Mexican cartels for international drug trafficking. The group is accused of carrying out numerous attacks against civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials, including notable assassinations. The U.S. State Department announced the designation on Wednesday.

"Los Chone Killers" originated as a faction of "Los Choneros" before splitting to form an independent group in 2020. The organization "InSight Crime" notes that this evolution reflects a broader shift in Ecuador's criminal landscape, moving from low-level street gangs to more sophisticated and violent criminal enterprises. The group primarily operates in the Durán and Guayaquil regions.

Historically, "Los Chone Killers" were led by "Trompudo" and his brother, "Ben 10," who were assassinated in Cali, Colombia, in December 2024. The leadership then passed to Julio Alberto Martínez, alias "Negro Tulio," who was arrested in Panama in 2024 and is currently serving a sentence. The group's criminal activities encompass extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and contract killings.