US Designates Ecuador's Chone Killers Terrorist

The United States — United States Department of State has designated the Ecuadorean gang Los Chone Killers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This action, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, imposes sanctions on the gang, which is accused of numerous attacks on civilians, law enforcement, and public officials, including high-profile assassinations. The designation is part of a broader campaign by Donald Trump's administration against organized crime and drug trafficking in Latin America, which has also seen other groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel similarly designated. Ecuador's government, led by President Daniel Noboa, welcomed the US decision, viewing it as strong support for its own militarized crackdown on criminal organizations. The US alleges that Ecuadorean gangs assist Mexican cartels in drug transport, funding terrorism and other criminal activities.