QUITO, Ecuador
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has aligned his administration closely with the U.S. approach to dismantling transnational criminal organizations. This week, he welcomed significant U.S. support and emphasized warnings from the U.S. government that foreign drug-trafficking cartels could “eat these countries alive” if not addressed.
During important bilateral meetings in the Ecuadorian capital, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended Ecuador as the Trump administration’s most committed ally in the broad effort against drug trafficking networks. The discussions represented a notable change in security strategy across South America, with conservative leaders joining forces with Washington to tackle transnational criminal cartels operating in the region.
“If you don’t confront these groups, they will eat these countries alive,” Rubio cautioned after meeting with President Noboa. “It’s like a cancer that grows until you literally don’t have a state anymore.”
Instead of pushing back against the harsh rhetoric from the U.S. regarding territories controlled by major Mexican cartels, notably the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels (CJNG), President Noboa reinforced the commitment to joint security operations. Ecuador is a key transit point for cocaine from nearby Colombia and Peru, with local gangs being heavily armed affiliates of these Mexican cartels.
To strengthen this budding alliance, the U.S. designated the well-known Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This designation follows similar classifications for other groups like the Chone Killers and Los Lobos. Being classified as an FTO allows the U.S. to apply enhanced financial sanctions, bolster intelligence efforts, and consider military action against these organizations.
“These are not ordinary street gangs,” Noboa noted, asserting that they operate with sophisticated international networks, substantial funding, and capabilities that threaten national sovereignty.
Recently, Ecuador collaborated with the U.S. Navy to seize and sink a vessel in the eastern Pacific, which was functioning as a fueling station for drug traffickers.
“Ecuador is dedicated to regaining control over our territorial waters and ports. Working closely with our allies ensures these maritime routes are effectively disrupted,” President Noboa stated.
This operation was part of the Trump administration’s robust military strategy against drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere. The campaign of kinetic strikes against drug-trafficking boats started over a year ago, following an executive order from President Trump authorizing military force against specific cartels.
During this week’s meeting, President Noboa honored Secretary Rubio by awarding him Ecuador’s National Order of Merit (Grand Cross). He expressed gratitude for Washington’s efforts in directly targeting the narco-terrorist networks that disrupt the region’s stability.
“You are helping to bring peace to the U.S. and the entire region by strengthening our security against these common threats,” Noboa remarked.
Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Roberto Kury emphasized their joint stance, officially declaring the nation a “loyal, active, and decisive ally” in eliminating cartel-controlled trafficking routes.
As the U.S. maintains a hardline approach towards cartels in Latin America, Quito’s enthusiastic alignment reveals that key regional players are ready to move beyond diplomatic caution and address transnational narco-terrorists with resolve.
Rubio acknowledged Mexico’s efforts against these groups but insisted that more action is necessary. “The Mexicans have done more than ever before to combat these organizations, but it is still not nearly enough,” he said. “They know that, and we’ve made our position clear.”
He added, “The people of Mexico will tell you that. Security remains the top concern, with political candidates, judges, and journalists targeted by these gangs.”
As the Trump-Rubio doctrine alters the security perspective in the Western Hemisphere, President Noboa’s strong support for U.S. military action marks a significant moment in the fight against narco-terrorism.
By officially classifying local gangs as global terrorist proxies, integrating federal intelligence, and coordinating direct military efforts against trafficking assets at sea, Ecuador is setting a precedent for the rest of Latin America. Noboa’s choice to prioritize decisive measures over open-border diplomacy signals to transnational organizations that their chances of operating safely in the region are diminishing rapidly, with the U.S. and its allies prepared to engage wherever necessary.
