US Classifies Ecuador's Chone Killers as Terrorists

The United States has officially designated the Chone Killers, an Ecuadorean gang, as a terrorist organization. This strategic move imposes sanctions on the group, which Washington accuses of orchestrating violent attacks against civilians and public officials. The classification as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' underlines the group's significant threat.

This action forms part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration, targeting organized crime and drug trafficking across Latin America. In addition to the Chone Killers, other groups such as Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel have also faced similar classifications. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of disrupting the revenue channels that fund narco-terrorism.

Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed approval of the US decision, endorsing President Daniel Noboa's commitment to combatting organized crime. This alignment forms part of a coordinated effort, supported by US proposals, to curtail gang activities through stringent measures, including military deployment and curfews in affected regions.