Marco Rubio designated the narcoterrorist group "Los Tiguerones" as a foreign terrorist organization

The Secretary of State American, Marco Rubio officially designated Los Tiguerones, one of the most violent criminal gangs in Ecuador, as a foreign terrorist organization due to its close ties with drug trafficking and Mexican cartels, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This criminal structure, which emerged in Ecuador initially associated with Los Choneros, has been placed at the center of Washington's anti-terrorism strategy, joining previous designations against Los Choneros and Los Lobos.

Justifying this strong decision from the Ecuadorian capital, Marco Rubio stated: “We are not talking about a normal mafia, we are not talking about criminals, we are talking about terrorists”.

Furthermore, the American authority firmly warned that the Donald Trump Administration will not cease to pursue all organizations that “finance terrorism with drugs and attack civilians, police, and journalists”. From Washington's perspective, these groups have ceased to be mere local mafias and have become structures with terrorist capabilities.

The historic announcement took place during Marco Rubio's official visit on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 to the Palacio de Carondelet in Quito, where he held a high-level bilateral summit with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.

In the context of this meeting, reported by journalist Yalilé Loaiza for Infobae, the head of American diplomacy positioned the South American nation as the most relevant partner of the United States in the hemispheric fight: “We have no better ally in the region in terms of facing what is the transnational criminal threat”.

As a gesture of recognition for the American administration's commitment to regional security, Daniel Noboa awarded Marco Rubio the National Order of Merit at the level of Grand Cross, the highest civilian distinction in the country, also awarded this same year to Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States.

This was the second visit of Marco Rubio to Ecuador as Secretary of State —following his previous trip in September 2025 and his background as a senator— as part of an official tour that will continue in Peru. During his speech, Marco Rubio reaffirmed that security is the necessary foundation to expand bilateral trade and strengthen the Ecuadorian economy, which shows growth and “enormous economic opportunities”.

To support the anti-terrorism offensive with concrete resources, the Donald Trump Administration deployed a comprehensive package of strategic support:

Funding for crime fighting: The Donald Trump Administration will formally request the U.S. Congress to allocate an additional USD 45 million to dismantle criminal networks in Ecuador and the region, highlighting Marco Rubio: “We are doing many things together”.

Additionally, a special fund of USD 10 million to combat illegal mining, a source of funding for violent groups, was established, on which Marco Rubio pointed out: “That must benefit the people, not the benefit of terrorist groups”.

Transfer of vessels and maritime deployment: The United States will transfer to Ecuador 1 vessel from the U.S. Coast Guard measuring 110 feet in length and 5 additional interceptors in the coming months, completing a total of 12 vessels delivered in the last year.

On the operational ground, military actions and intelligence in the Pacific Ocean against vessels linked to Los Choneros have recorded 6 vessels sunk as of this Wednesday.

Financial blows and seizures: In addition to historic drug seizures achieved by Ecuador during the last year, Washington sanctioned 15 terrorist criminal entities and individuals and ordered the blocking of 10 fishing companies involved in illicit activities.

To conclude the bilateral workday, Marco Rubio reaffirmed the total commitment of the United States against organized crime: “We have already done, we are already doing, but we will do even more”