Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, announced on Thursday that the United States is labeling two Ecuadorian groups, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations. This was communicated in the most recent initiative by the Trump administration against criminal organizations. Rubio relayed this information during his trip to Latin America, particularly Ecuador, where he engaged with local leaders even as his visit was sidelined by a U.S. military action against a similarly noted gang, Tren de Aragua.
The actions taken against Tren de Aragua have resulted in regional worry about the possibility of increased military intervention in combating issues of drug trafficking and unlawful immigration. The newly labeled organizations, both based in Ecuador, have been held responsible for the surge of violence in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Rubio, this designation gives the U.S. government ‘a wide variety of options’ to collaborate with Ecuador’s government in order to suppress these groups effectively. This collaboration might involve using lethal force as well as implementing measures against U.S.-based properties and bank accounts owned by these organization members, or those affiliated with them. The initiative will further facilitate the exchange of intelligence.
Rubio emphasised that the war on these groups is essential because of the uninterrupted battle they’ve been waging against the U.S. for decades without any response in return. He said, ‘We’re not going to only chase down drug traffickers in smaller boats and aim for their arrest. Instead, our president has declared a war against these groups because they’ve been fighting us for over 30 years without any retaliation.’
The Trump administration specifies that it has targeted a Venezuelan ship, allegedly operated by Tren de Aragua members, involved in drug trafficking. According to U.S. authorities, the vessel was carrying drugs intended for the United States, and the action against it resulted in eleven casualties. However, the explanation of how they ascertained that the crew members belonged to Tren de Aragua is still shaded.
Reactions in Latin America to this event have been mixed, given the long history of U.S. military intervention and its repercussions are still evident. There were cautious responses from officials in certain countries like Mexico that communicated their concern of preserving national sovereignty, and highlighted probable backlash if U.S. military involvement were to escalate.
Despite these concerns, Rubio maintains that the U.S. strategy is more attuned to Venezuela rather than Mexico, due to the strained relations between the U.S. and Venezuela. He also noted that Ecuador is grappling with issues related to drug trafficking and has been considered by the Trump administration as a potential receiver of non-Ecuadorian immigrants from the United States.
There have been attempts by U.S. officials to reach an agreement with Ecuador to facilitate the re-acceptance of such immigrants, but the status of these negotiations remains unclear. Daniel Noboa, the President of Ecuador, expressed gratitude towards Rubio for the significant steps undertaken by the U.S. to mitigate any potential terror threats.
According to the latest World Drug Report by the U.N., there have been increased cocaine confiscations in 2022 across South American countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, in comparison to the previous year. However, the report does not corroborate with the White House’s consistent assertions about Venezuela having a significant role in the drug trade.
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the violence in Ecuador has escalated dramatically. Drug traders have capitalized on the turbulent times and the nations’ existing infrastructures, particularly its prized banana industry. In fact, Ecuador holds the prime position globally as the leading exporter of bananas.
Drug traffickers have discovered an effective vehicle for smuggling illicit substances in the form of maritime shipping containers filled with bananas. Additionally, Ecuador has become a preferred destination for criminal organizations from Mexico, Colombia, and even the Balkans due to a variety of reasons.
Ecuador’s reliance on the U.S. dollar, weakened legislative structures, and existing networks of ruthless criminal organizations, including the now designated terrorist organizations – Los Choneros and Los Lobos, have made it an attractive hub for these groups.
The activities of Los Choneros, Los Lobos and other similar entities extend beyond drug trafficking. Their illicit operations span contract killings, running extortion rings, and managing the circulation and sale of drugs. These groups have been implicated in the surge of violence in Ecuador as they vie for control over drug trafficking routes to the Pacific and territorial command.
This fight for control has been particularly evident within prison systems, where hundreds of inmates have fallen victim to this violence since 2021. The position of Ecuador in the global cocaine market has become more pronounced following political reshuffles in neighboring Colombia in the last decade. This has pushed coca plantation fields in Colombia closer to the Ecuadorian border.
This shift in Colombia’s internal dynamics caused by the dissolution of criminal organizations has inadvertently intensified Ecuador’s issues with narcotics trafficking. The new geopolitical dynamics coupled with Ecuador’s internal conditions have amplified the roles of groups like Los Choneros and Los Lobos, contributing to the changing landscape of drug trade in the region.
In summary, the designation of these Ecuadorian groups as foreign terrorist organizations and the escalation of U.S. actions against drug trafficking globally, particularly in South America, are signaling a more aggressive stance against these nefarious entities.
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