The US State Department has designated the Ecuadorean gang Chone Killers as a foreign “terrorist organisation”, imposing sanctions on a crime group that Washington has accused of carrying out attacks on civilians and public officials. According to multiple reports, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the gang has also been classified as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”.
Key Takeaways
The US has designated Ecuador's Chone Killers gang as a foreign terrorist organization, imposing sanctions on its members. The group is accused of attacks on civilians and public officials.
- US designates Chone Killers as foreign terrorist organization
- Gang leaders face U.S. sanctions and criminal prosecution
- Ecuador welcomes the designation, supporting President Noboa's anti-crime campaign
- Chone Killers are linked to Mexican cartels in drug trafficking operations
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chone Killers Designation | Broad Agreement | Designated as foreign terrorist organization and specially designated global terrorists. | |
| Chone Killers' Activities | Broad Agreement | Targeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials. | |
| Sanctions Implications | Broad Agreement | Leaders and associates face U.S. sanctions and criminal prosecution. | |
| Ecuador's Response | Broad Agreement | Welcomed the designation, supporting President Noboa's anti-crime campaign. |
Chone Killers Designation
Broad AgreementDesignated as foreign terrorist organization and specially designated global terrorists.
Chone Killers' Activities
Broad AgreementTargeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials.
Sanctions Implications
Broad AgreementLeaders and associates face U.S. sanctions and criminal prosecution.
Ecuador's Response
Broad AgreementWelcomed the designation, supporting President Noboa's anti-crime campaign.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
Rubio said in a statement announcing the designations that Chone Killers has committed numerous attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials, including high-profile assassinations of public officials. The move against the Ecuadorian street gang is part of a broader campaign by US President Donald Trump’s administration on organised crime and drug trafficking in Latin America.
This designation makes it a federal crime to knowingly provide material support to the group and blocks its property and interests within U.S. jurisdiction. The Trump administration has designated several other Latin American gangs and drug cartels as “terrorist” organisations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.
Rubio also alleged that Ecuadorean gangs help Mexican cartels transport and export illegal drugs, which he said fund “terrorism” and other criminal activity. Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US decision, saying it reflected Washington’s strong support for President Daniel Noboa’s campaign against criminal organisations.
According to CBS News, the Chone Killers are an offshoot of Los Chineros, a gang previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States in 2020. The designation freezes any assets the group or its members may have in U.S. jurisdictions. Ecuador has transformed from one of South America's safest countries to a major cocaine trafficking hub, plagued by gangs with ties to Mexican and Colombian cartels.
Ecuadorian gang violence continues unabated following the recapture in June 2025 of Adolfo Macías, leader of Los Choneros, after his escape from prison in 2024. In July 2025, Ecuador extradited Macías to the United States where he faces multiple drug trafficking and firearms charges. President Noboa has imposed curfews and deployed military forces in several provinces as part of a U.S.-backed crackdown on gang activity.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.