Marco Rubio Touts Aggressive U.S. Stance on Foreign Crime Groups

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:24:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a bold statement during his visit to Ecuador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declares that the U.S. may resort to blowing up foreign crime organizations if necessary to combat drug trafficking and violence.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. will potentially 'blow up' foreign crime groups including Ecuador's Los Lobos and Los Choneros, now designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Following recent military actions against drug traffickers, Rubio emphasized collaboration with allied governments while asserting a robust stance against these organizations, which play a central role in the region's soaring cartel violence and drug trade. Ecuadorian government support for U.S. military operations remains to be seen as drug-related violence drives migration and seeks international support.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the U.S. will 'blow up' foreign crime groups if necessary, especially if in collaboration with other countries.

'Now they're gonna help us find these people and blow them up, if that's what it takes,' Rubio asserted during a visit to Ecuador.

He announced the U.S. would designate two of Ecuador's largest criminal gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations.

This announcement comes on the heels of a U.S. military strike that purportedly killed 11 drug-traffickers in the Caribbean Sea, though their identities remain undisclosed.

The U.S. has accused Venezuelan military aircraft of engaging in provocative operations against American vessels involved in drug interdiction.

During a recent exchange, Rubio addressed concerns regarding the treatment of smugglers from allied nations, suggesting these countries would assist in identifying culprits rather than engage in unilateral military action.

'The president has stated his intention to wage war against groups that have targeted the U.S. for decades,' Rubio said, underscoring the role of cooperative governments in fighting back.

Notably, the Ecuadorian and Mexican governments have not committed to support U.S. military strikes in their territories.

In response to a military operation targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, President Trump suggested that the action was essential in combating the flow of narcotics into the U.S.

Experts caution that the recent military engagement may infringe on international human rights laws, complicating the legal landscape.

To aid Ecuador in its fight against drug trafficking, the U.S. announced $13.5 million in security assistance and an additional $6 million allocated for drone technology.

As violence escalates in Ecuador, largely fueled by gang conflicts over cocaine trafficking routes, the U.S. seeks to mitigate rising threats originating from the region. Approximately 70% of the world's cocaine now traverses through Ecuador on its way to major markets.

The designation of Los Lobos and Los Choneros aligns with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's hardline stance against criminal organizations, which he describes as a 'war.' Noboa has expressed support for increased military cooperation with U.S. and European forces, including plans to modify the constitution to allow foreign military bases back into the country.

This new classification paves the way for the U.S. to freeze the assets of those connected to these groups and to share intelligence with the Ecuadorian government, which includes plans for potential military action.

With rising cartel violence driving migration from Ecuador, the implications of classifying these gangs as terrorist organizations may impact asylum seekers in the U.S., raising concerns about the consequences for those who have been coerced into supporting them.