The Trump administration designated two Ecuadorian cartels as terrorist organizations.

The United States Government has officially designated two of the most violent drug-trafficking gangs inEcuador as terrorist organizations: Los Choneros and Los Lobos, in a move that marks a strategic shift in the international fight against organized crime.

The decision, signed on August 6 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and published on September 4 in the Federal Register, takes effect as of September 5.

The designation was made in accordance with section 219 of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows armed groups or drug-trafficking networks to be classified as terrorists if they pose a security threat. The classification entails economic sanctions, asset freezes, immigration restrictions, and an increase in intelligence sharing with allied governments, in this case, Ecuador.

Los Choneros, also known as Águilas or Fatales, and Los Lobos, identified as Los Lobos Drug Trafficking Organization, are involved in a series of violent crimes, such as prison massacres, explosive attacks, and prison breaks, which have destabilized the Andean country. In addition, they maintain ties with Mexican cartels, money laundering networks, and drug trafficking routes that reach the United States and Europe.

The declaration coincides with Marco Rubio's official visit to Quito, where he met with Ecuadorian PresidentDaniel Noboa, who has repeatedly requested international support to confront what he describes as a war against narcoterrorism.

During this visit, Rubio announced a security aid package of 13.5 million dollars, plus 6 million in drone technology, as part of Washington's support for Ecuador's fight against the mafias.

Rubio also stated that this designation will allow the United States to target assets and collaborate in potentially lethal actions against these gangs. He also emphasized that "without security, we can't make economic progress," highlighting the alignment of priorities between Trump and Noboa.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld confirmed that Ecuador will accept asylum seekers from the United States as part of the bilateral agreement, although no figures or conditions were specified.

In recent years, Ecuador has experienced a sharp increase in criminal violence, becoming a key corridor for global drug trafficking. According to official data, 70% of the cocaine consumed in the world passes through its territory. The situation has caused international alarm and has led the government to implement intermittent states of emergency since 2024.

The assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, prison riots with dozens of deaths, and attacks in cities such as Guayaquil have demonstrated the territorial and military power of these mafias, which are now treated by the United States with the same gravity as armed insurgencies such as FARC or ELN in Colombia.

The next steps will include judicial actions in the United States against leaders and collaborators of these gangs, as well as greater coordination with Ecuador to dismantle their financial and operational structures. At the regional level, the decision could set a precedent for treating drug trafficking as terrorism, which enables much broader legal and logistical resources for its combat.