Marco Rubio: U.S. Prepared to Strike Down Foreign Crime Groups

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:48:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

During a visit to Ecuador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the U.S. will 'blow up' foreign crime organizations, announcing collaboration with local governments to tackle drug trafficking and violence in the region.

In a bold announcement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is ready to take aggressive action, even possibly resorting to military strikes, against foreign crime groups that threaten regional stability. This includes designating prominent Ecuadorian gangs as terrorists and enhancing security cooperation with Ecuador. The move follows escalating violence linked to drug trafficking in Ecuador, with government data indicating a significant transit route for cocaine headed to global markets.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the U.S. will blow up foreign crime groups if necessary, potentially in cooperation with other countries. Now they're gonna help us find these people and blow them up, if that's what it takes, Rubio declared during his visit to Ecuador.

He announced the designation of two of Ecuador's most notorious criminal gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations. This announcement comes on the heels of a U.S. military strike earlier this week that reportedly killed 11 drug traffickers, although their identities remain undisclosed.

Rubio detailed further accusations against Venezuelan military aircraft, suggesting they had provocatively interfered with U.S. counter-narcotics operations. In discussions around operations against smugglers, Rubio emphasized the intelligence support from cooperative governments to target these criminals.

The Ecuadorian and Mexican governments have yet to confirm any military assistance in these operations. President Donald Trump expressed support for military operations targeting members of the Tren de Aragua gang as they engaged in drug trafficking towards the U.S.

Legal experts have raised concerns that the recent military actions risk violating international human rights and maritime law. Despite these controversies, Rubio announced U.S. plans to provide $13.5 million in security aid and $6 million in drone technology to Ecuador in a bid to combat drug trafficking.

Violence in Ecuador related to gang conflicts has surged, as criminal organizations struggle for control over lucrative cocaine trafficking routes. Data reveals that approximately 70% of the world's cocaine passes through Ecuador, in transit from Colombia and Peru to markets worldwide.

The new designations are backed by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, who labeled his initiative against these gangs as a war. He has shown interest in allowing foreign military bases back in Ecuador, aiming for U.S. and European assistance in battling the gangs.

While these designations enable the U.S. to impose sanctions and enhance intelligence sharing, the potential implications for victims of gang violence seeking U.S. asylum remain uncertain, prompting discussions on whether they might be classified as victims of terrorism.