JUST IN – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the United States is officially designating two Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations.

“Today we have designated as terrorist organizations two groups that operate here in Ecuadorian territory—Los Lobos and Los Choneros,” Rubio stated.

The move marks a major escalation in Washington’s response to rising gang violence in Ecuador, a country that has faced increasing instability due to organized crime. The designation means that gang members, leaders, and anyone providing support to these groups could face tougher international sanctions and criminal prosecution.

Los Lobos and Los Choneros are among Ecuador’s most feared criminal organizations, linked to drug trafficking, assassinations, and violent prison riots. By labeling them as terrorist groups, the U.S. aims to cut off their financial networks and curb their influence beyond Ecuador’s borders.

The announcement is being hailed as a huge step in the fight against transnational crime, sending a strong message that Washington is prepared to treat these gangs with the same severity as global terrorist organizations.