Overview
- The State Department, which designated the Chone Killers on Wednesday, labeled the group a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, triggering U.S. asset freezes and federal criminal penalties for providing support.
- U.S. officials say the gang carried out attacks on civilians, police and public officials including high‑profile assassinations, and allege the group helps Mexican cartels move drugs that finance violent activity.
- Ecuador’s government welcomed the designation and has expanded security measures such as curfews and military deployments while continuing joint operations with U.S. forces that have included American commandos on missions.
- The action is the latest step in President Trump’s broader campaign that has labeled multiple Latin American gangs as terrorist organizations and that has been used to justify U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats, drawing criticism from the U.N. and rights groups.
- Beyond enabling sanctions and prosecutions, the designation aims to choke the gangs’ revenue and international networks but also raises risks of a more militarized response in Ecuador and heightened scrutiny from human rights and legal observers.