US designates Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones as terrorist organization

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced from Quito that the US has designated Los Tiguerones, an Ecuadorian criminal gang, as a terrorist organization, citing attacks on civilians, security forces, and journalists. The designation signals expanded US counter-narcotics and security cooperation with Ecuador, though its immediate operational impact remains unclear. This marks a notable escalation in US policy toward transnational organized crime in Latin America.