US Designates 2 Ecuadorian Gangs As Terrorist Orgs

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (KUNA) -- US Secretary Rubio announced the designations of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, of Ecuador, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
Los Choneros and Los Lobos have attacked and threatened public officials and their families, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists in Ecuador, the State Dept. said in a statement on Thursday.
Both Los Choneros and Los Lobos are linked to US-designated FTOs and SDGTs Cartel de Sinaloa and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion.
Their ultimate goal is to control drug trafficking routes through Ecuador by terrorizing and inflicting brutal violence on the Ecuadorian people, according to the statement.
In July, US and Ecuadorian authorities cooperated to extradite the leader of Los Choneros, Fito Macias, who was the first Ecuadorian citizen extradited from Ecuador to face justice in the United States.
The United States, in partnership with Ecuador and its President Daniel Noboa, will continue to protect our two nations by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding drug cartels' terrorism and criminal activity.
Today's action further demonstrates the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to eliminating cartels and ensuring the safety of the American people.
Today's actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224.
FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register, the statement added.
Rubio affirmed that the designations of Los Lobos and Los Choneros "brings with it all sorts of options in the United States to work in conjunction with the government of Ecuador in the future to stamp these groups out."
Speaking to reporters alongside Ecuador's Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld at Carondelet Presidential Palace in Quito, Ecuador, the US top diplomat said the designations not only allow the US to impose sanctions, but also help share intelligence with Ecuador "that can be actioned for potentially lethal operations."
Today's action "opens up the aperture for the amount of intelligence that we can now share, which is very valuable when you're trying to wage war against these vicious animals," Rubio said.
The announcement of the designations comes days after the administration lethally struck a boat that it said was tied to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, which it also designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Questions remain about the specifics of the strike and its legality.
Rubio also announced the US would provide USD 13.5 million "to help Ecuador improve its ability to provide security for its citizens, take on the combat drugs and crime."
The US will provide another USD six million in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Ecuador's Navy.
"These are all very important. We're going to do more. There's more coming, but that's an important step that we wanted to take here today, and I'm proud to announce it," Rubio added. (end)
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