The United States government has broadened its classification of “foreign terrorist organizations” in Latin America and the Caribbean, adding an Ecuadorian gang to its updated roster. This recent designation brings the total number of such groups to 21, reflecting an intensified focus on criminal networks operating across the region.
The State Department officially labeled the Ecuadorian gang known as Los Tiguerones as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to disrupting illicit activities and ensuring national security, particularly concerning drug flows into the country.
Ecuadorian gang targeted for illicit activities and violence
Los Tiguerones, an Ecuador-based criminal organization, has been implicated in a range of illegal operations, including extensive narcotrafficking. Beyond drug-related offenses, the group is reportedly responsible for numerous violent acts, targeting civilians, law enforcement personnel, and journalists alike. A notable incident attributed to Los Tiguerones was the live takeover of an Ecuadorian television station in 2024, highlighting their brazen tactics and capacity for disruption.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that the Trump administration intends to leverage all available instruments to safeguard the nation. In a public statement, he emphasized the goal of preventing illicit drugs from reaching American communities and dismantling the financial pipelines that sustain violent narcoterrorist groups. Rubio further asserted that this action demonstrates the administration’s ongoing efforts to fulfill its pledges to the American populace by dismantling cartels and narcoterrorist networks in the region, thereby enhancing the safety of citizens.
Strategic shift in combating criminal networks
The classification of Los Tiguerones as a terrorist organization signifies a notable evolution in U.S. foreign policy. Historically, the FTO label was primarily reserved for groups like ISIS and al-Qaida, which are driven by political or ideological agendas. The current administration, however, has expanded this definition to encompass financially motivated criminal organizations, particularly those involved in drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This strategic adjustment aims to exert greater pressure on these criminal enterprises and any individuals or entities providing them assistance. The approach was initiated in February 2025 and has since been linked to significant actions, including the capture of then-Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. It has also preceded numerous deadly assaults on vessels suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking.
Terrorist designations carry substantial consequences, designed to expose and isolate the targeted groups and individuals. These measures deny them access to the U.S. financial system and critical resources needed to execute their operations. Furthermore, such designations can significantly bolster law enforcement initiatives undertaken by other U.S. agencies and international governments.
- Denies access to the U.S. financial system.
- Disrupts revenue streams essential for operations.
- Exposes and isolates entities and individuals globally.
- Facilitates enhanced law enforcement cooperation with other nations.
- Increases pressure on criminal organizations and their associates.
Diplomatic engagement and regional implications
The announcement regarding Los Tiguerones coincided with Secretary Rubio’s diplomatic tour through South America, which included stops in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. His visit focused on reinforcing U.S. initiatives to counter drug trafficking across the Latin American continent. The strategy has also spurred countries within the region to adopt similar measures.
Nations such as Guatemala and Argentina have reportedly taken comparable actions against specific groups operating within their borders. Ecuador, directly impacted by the activities of Los Tiguerones, has initiated joint operations on its own territory, indicating a strengthened resolve to tackle organized crime. This collaborative effort highlights a growing regional consensus on the urgency of confronting these threats.
Challenges and inconsistencies in policy implementation
Despite the administration’s robust stance against criminal organizations, the policy has encountered certain complexities and perceived inconsistencies. Mexico, for instance, has the highest number of groups — eight — on the U.S. list of designated foreign terrorist organizations. The Mexican government faces considerable pressure from the U.S. to prevent unilateral actions by President Donald Trump against cartels operating within its borders, emphasizing the delicate balance of sovereignty and security.
Moreover, the Trump administration’s approach has been marked by contradictions in specific instances. Notably, the former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison for drug trafficking and accused during his trial of protecting the Sinaloa Cartel, received a pardon. Hernández has since returned to his home country, raising questions about the consistent application of the administration’s stated goals in combating narcotrafficking and its associated networks.
