Ecuador gang Los Tiguerones designated terrorist; US Shield of Americas targets group

Ecuador's Security Minister Roberto Kury announced that Los Tiguerones, a major criminal gang, has been designated as a terrorist organization and is now in the sights of the US-led Shield of the Americas initiative. This marks a significant escalation in US-Ecuador security cooperation, positioning Ecuador as a key US ally in Latin America. The designation likely enables broader US military and intelligence support, but the operational scope and immediate effects remain unclear.