Washington — In a decisive move to curb narcoterrorism in the Western Hemisphere, the Trump administration announced Wednesday that the Ecuador‑based gang Los Tiguerones has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The designation brings the total number of U.S.‑listed foreign terrorist groups in Latin America and the Caribbean to 21.
Why the designation matters
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that Los Tiguerones is linked to extensive narcotrafficking, violent attacks on civilians, law‑enforcement officers and journalists, and even a live takeover of an Ecuadorian television station in 2024. By labeling the gang as an FTO, the administration can “expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out attacks,” Rubio said.
Tools to protect American families
Rubio emphasized that the action “demonstrates that the Trump administration continues to deliver on its promises to the American people to dismantle cartels and narcoterrorist networks in our region, ensuring the safety of the American people.” The designation allows U.S. law‑enforcement agencies to freeze assets, restrict travel, and pursue criminal prosecutions against members and supporters of the gang.
Broader strategy in Latin America
The designation is part of a broader strategy launched in February 2025 to use foreign terrorist designations as a pretext for targeted operations against criminal networks. The administration cites successful joint operations with Ecuadorian authorities and recent actions in Guatemala and Argentina that have similarly labeled violent crime groups.
Rubio’s diplomatic tour of South America — including stops in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru — highlighted the administration’s commitment to working with regional partners to combat drug trafficking and related violence. The tour underscored the belief that strong, faith‑based families and communities are essential to resisting the influence of narcoterrorist groups.
Impact on U.S. security
By expanding the list, the administration aims to cut off the revenue streams that fund violent narcoterrorism, keeping illicit drugs off American streets. The move also supports U.S. military and intelligence efforts, such as the recent sinking of a narco‑refueling station linked to an Ecuadorian cartel by Southcom forces.
Critics and context
Some observers note that the label was previously reserved for ideologically driven groups like ISIS and al‑Qaida. However, the Trump administration argues that financially motivated crime organizations in Latin America now pose a comparable threat to U.S. security. Critics from certain think tanks and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the breadth of the designation, but the administration maintains that the tool is being used responsibly and in coordination with partner nations.
Mexico, which hosts the largest number of designated groups on the U.S. list, faces pressure to cooperate while also safeguarding its sovereignty. The administration continues to engage Mexican officials to ensure coordinated action against transnational cartels.
Looking ahead
The Trump administration says it will continue to use all available tools — diplomatic, financial, and military — to dismantle narcoterrorist networks throughout the hemisphere. As the list grows, the administration expects further cooperation from Latin American partners and a measurable reduction in drug‑related violence that threatens American families.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
