Rubio in Ecuador: Los Tiguerones designated terrorist organisation, sanctions against former officials
Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Quito on Wednesday to strengthen anti-drug efforts. He announced sanctions, extraditions and the deployment of intercept vessels.
Rubio in Quito: terrorism, sanctions and new vessels against cartels
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Ecuador on Wednesday 9 September to intensify cooperation against drug cartels, according to medias24.com. This visit is part of a tour of Latin America aimed at consolidating alliances with conservative leaders in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and strengthening American influence in the region.
From Quito, Rubio announced that the Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones would henceforth be classified as a "terrorist organisation". This designation bars them from all access to the American financial system, as well as any transactions or support in their favour. Washington had already applied the same measure to other Ecuadorian gangs, the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua and the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.
"We are not talking about an ordinary mafia, we are not talking about criminals, we are talking about terrorists," Rubio said at a press conference in Quito. According to the Ecuadorian Observatory of Organised Crime, Los Tiguerones is involved in drug and arms trafficking, illegal mining, money laundering, extortion and murders.
Sanctions against former officials and extraditions
Rubio also announced that seven former members of the Ecuadorian government would be sanctioned for accepting bribes and for their links with criminal groups. He further promised the deployment of an American coastguard patrol boat and five new intercept vessels.
The Quito prosecution office also confirmed on Wednesday that two suspects — a former police officer and a former Ecuadorian businessman — suspected of being involved in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023 would be extradited to the United States.
Joint operations in the Pacific
Rubio's visit comes as Washington and Quito conduct joint military operations against vessels suspected of serving drug traffickers in the Ecuadorian Pacific. Military personnel sank six boats in two weeks, the latest on Tuesday, actions that have drawn criticism from human rights defenders.
Rubio met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, whose war against organised crime has failed to stem violence. Ecuador, situated between Colombia and Peru — the world's two largest cocaine producers — has become in recent years the point of departure for 70 per cent of the world's cocaine, destined in particular for the United States and Europe.
Mexico also in the crosshairs
Rubio stated that Mexico needed to do more in the fight against cartels. "The Mexicans have made more efforts than they have ever made before to tackle these groups, but it is still not enough," he said, adding that this threat would need to be faced "one way or another".
Conservative tour of Latin America
In Colombia the previous day, Rubio had promised the new right-wing leader Abelardo de la Espriella to tighten ties with Bogotá after four years of left-wing government. Discussions are underway to support Colombia "in terms of equipment, intelligence and specialised training", according to Rubio, who specified that Bogotá had not requested the deployment of ground troops. Since taking office in early August, de la Espriella has intensified operations against armed groups involved in drug trafficking.
Washington makes no secret of its intention to counter the influence of China, Russia and Iran in Latin America, a priority included in its national security strategy.
After Ecuador, Rubio was expected in Peru on Thursday, led since July by conservative President Keiko Fujimori. This country is the latest to have joined the "Shield of the Americas", a coalition initiated by Donald Trump to fight drug trafficking and organised crime in the region.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)