The two gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, are accused of being behind much of the violence that began during the pandemic in the country. Los Lobos and Los Choneros are engaged in contract killings, extortion as well as smuggling and sale of drugs.
The decision to put the gangs on the terror list gives the US "all kinds of opportunities" to cooperate with the government of Ecuador to combat the gangs, according to Rubio. This includes killing gang members, seizing property and sharing intelligence with Ecuador.
On Tuesday, the US Navy sank a boat in the Caribbean Sea, which was said to contain drugs from South America. According to US authorities, the eleven crew members were supposed to be "narcoterrorists" belonging to a Venezuelan crime syndicate.
