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US designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as terrorist organization
The designation freezes U.S.-linked assets and makes it a federal crime to provide material support as officials cite attacks and cartel ties.
On Wednesday, the United States State Department designated the Ecuador-based Chone Killers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, imposing sanctions on the gang accused of attacking civilians and public officials.
The Chone Killers originated as a faction of Los Choneros before splintering into a separate group in 2020; Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the gang targets civilians and government officials, including high-profile assassinations.
"Chone Killers has committed numerous attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers and government officials," Rubio said, as the administration aims to disrupt revenue streams funding criminal cartels and illegal drug trafficking.
President Daniel Noboa's government welcomed the designation, citing Washington's firm support for his campaign against criminal organizations, part of a broader Trump administration crackdown on regional gangs.
One day earlier, the United States sanctioned two Mexican nationals and nine entities linked to the Jalisco Nueva Generaci , with Treasury action highlighting the group's exploitation of Mexico's petroleum sector.