Rubio defends US strikes on boats, warns of drug cartel ‘cancer’

During a visit to Ecuador on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended controversial US strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats. Rubio argued that Latin American cartels pose a significant threat and would harm countries if not actively combatted. He highlighted that the United States is finding partners among a new generation of conservative leaders in the region who are willing to be aggressive against criminal groups. Since President Trump's return to power, the US has adopted air strikes against vessels on known trafficking routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced $45 million in security funding for Ecuador during a visit to Quito. This funding is part of a broader U.S. effort to partner with Ecuador's government in combating drug trafficking and criminal networks. The U.S. will also launch a $10 million initiative targeting illegal gold mining, gang recruitment, and drug trafficking, and will provide Ecuador with a coast guard cutter and five interceptor vessels. Rubio praised Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa's government as the U.S.'s "most involved and aggressive partner" in these efforts. The visit is part of a larger trip to South America, focusing on security cooperation and increasing U.S. influence. The U.S. has also designated Ecuador-based Los Tiguerones as a "foreign terrorist organization."

The US has designated Ecuador's Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organization, expanding the Trump administration's campaign against narcotics traffickers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation in Quito during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Rubio stated the gang is linked to narcotics trafficking and attacks on civilians, law enforcement, and journalists, possessing weaponry comparable to national armies. The designation follows the gang's 2024 attack on a television station, which prompted Noboa to declare a state of "internal armed conflict." Rubio plans to seek $45 million in additional funding from Congress to dismantle these groups and is courting rightwing allies in Latin America as security partners.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a shift in the Trump administration's strategy to combat drug trafficking in Latin American waters, emphasizing cooperation with allied nations and adherence to their laws. This new approach follows a year of unilateral US military strikes against alleged "narco-terrorists" operating boats. While the US will continue to destroy vessels if necessary, the focus is now on building joint operations with countries like Colombia and Ecuador. Rubio made these remarks during a trip to Ecuador, highlighting the importance of disrupting drug trafficking routes. This strategic adjustment comes after numerous strikes, including a recent one that killed three individuals.