• U.S. designates two Ecuadorian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Marco Rubio pledges nearly $20 million in security aid to Ecuador.
• Increased military action against drug trafficking following a U.S. strike.
• President Daniel Noboa seeks to combat rising violence through international cooperation.
• Rubio criticizes Venezuelan leader Maduro, calling him a "fugitive of American justice."

In a significant move to combat drug-related violence, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States is designating two powerful Ecuadorian gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation, made during Rubio's visit to Ecuador, opens the door for more aggressive U.S. action against these groups, enhancing capabilities for intelligence sharing and asset freezing, as well as allowing for potentially lethal operations against these gangs, which have significantly contributed to the rise in violence across Ecuador, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to SCMP, CBS News, and NPR.

Rubio's meetings with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa resulted in a commitment of nearly $20 million in security assistance, including $6 million earmarked for drone technology to bolster efforts against organized crime. During their discussions, Rubio emphasized the U.S. commitment to "wage war against these vicious animals, these terrorists," reflecting a broader Trump administration strategy aimed at upending the control of violent gangs in Latin America, according to TRT Global and Al Jazeera.

This designation comes after a recent U.S. military strike against a boat allegedly linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people. Rubio defended the operation as justified, underlining that vessels laden with narcotics pose an "immediate threat" to U.S. interests, marking a shift towards more aggressive military interventions by the U.S. in the region, as noted by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

President Noboa, who has consolidated power since his election, echoed the need for U.S. support in controlling the violence that has escalated, making Ecuador a significant hub in global cocaine distribution. He has recently pushed for a return of U.S. military presence in Ecuador, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations in addressing organized crime and illegal migration, according to SCMP, NPR, and CBS News.

Furthermore, Rubio’s focus on designating the gangs as terrorists aligns with broader U.S. strategies to frame organized crime in Latin America as a direct threat, which has significant implications for international law and human rights, as discussions about military action raise concerns about legality and human costs in the region, reported by TRT Global and Le Monde.