The United States has designated Ecuador's Los Tiguerones crime gang as a terrorist organisation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the move in Quito as Washington expands its campaign against narcotics traffickers in Latin America.
Key facts
- The US has designated Ecuador's Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organisation.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement in Quito, according to the Guardian.
- The Trump administration says it will seek extra funding from Congress to 'dismantle' the gang over narcotics trafficking.
- Los Tiguerones stormed a television station during a live broadcast in 2024.
- Rubio met Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa during a three-nation tour of Latin America.
The United States has designated Ecuador’s Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organisation, according to the Guardian, as the Trump administration widens its campaign against narcotics traffickers it says are destabilising Latin America.
The announcement was made by the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, in Quito. There, Rubio met Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa, described by the Guardian as one of several rightwing allies of Donald Trump whom Rubio is courting as a security partner.
The Guardian reports that the Trump administration intends to seek extra funding from Congress to ‘dismantle’ Los Tiguerones over its role in narcotics trafficking.
Los Tiguerones drew international attention in 2024 when the gang stormed a television station during a live broadcast, an incident cited in the reporting on the designation.
The move came during a three-nation tour through Latin America that Rubio began on Tuesday, part of a broader effort by Washington to build security partnerships in the region.
Why it matters
Designating a criminal gang as a terrorist organisation gives US authorities additional legal and financial tools to target it, and signals a hardening of Washington's approach to organised crime in Latin America. It also deepens security ties between the Trump administration and allied governments in the region.
Frequently asked questions
Which gang did the US designate as a terrorist organisation?
The US designated Ecuador's Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organisation, according to the Guardian.
Who announced the designation?
US secretary of state Marco Rubio made the announcement in Quito, where he met Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa.
What does the US plan to do next?
The Guardian reports the Trump administration will seek extra funding from Congress to 'dismantle' the gang over narcotics trafficking.