What You Need to Know
• The United States designated the Ecuadorian gang “Chone Killers” as a foreign terrorist organization on September 4, 2025.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the gang has targeted civilians and officials, including high-profile assassinations.
• This designation allows for U.S. sanctions against the gang’s leaders and associates, freezing their assets in U.S. jurisdictions.
The United States, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, designated the Ecuadorian gang known as the “Chone Killers” as a foreign terrorist organization on September 4, 2025. Rubio noted that the gang has committed numerous attacks against civilians, law enforcement, and government officials, including high-profile assassinations. This designation also classifies the Chone Killers as “specially designated global terrorists,” which subjects their leaders and associates to U.S. sanctions and criminal prosecution. The Ecuadorian foreign ministry expressed gratitude for the U.S. support in combating criminal organizations, highlighting the ongoing violence in Ecuador, which has seen a rise in gang-related activities and drug trafficking. The Chone Killers are an offshoot of Los Chineros, a gang previously designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2020.
Why It Matters
The designation of the Chone Killers as a foreign terrorist organization is significant in the context of Ecuador’s escalating gang violence and drug trafficking issues. Ecuador has transformed from one of South America’s safest countries to a major cocaine trafficking hub, with gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels. The U.S. has previously designated other gangs, such as Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist organizations, reflecting a broader strategy to disrupt narcoterrorism in the region. The Ecuadorian government, under President Daniel Noboa, has implemented military interventions and curfews to combat this growing threat.
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