Rubio Hails Ecuador As ‘Aggressive’ US Partner In Drug War, Seeks $45 Million

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday praised Ecuador as the Trump administration’s most “aggressive” partner in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational criminal groups, as Washington moves to deepen security cooperation with President Daniel Noboa’s government.

Rubio made the remarks in Quito during the second leg of a three nation South American tour that also includes Colombia and Peru. He met Noboa and highlighted the growing cooperation between US and Ecuadorian security forces.

“Elite forces” from both countries are working jointly “on a day to day basis” in an unprecedented effort to dismantle what Rubio described as terrorist organisations, he told reporters.

Rubio also announced the US designation of Ecuadorian criminal gang Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organisation. The group became notorious in January 2024 when armed men stormed a television station during a live broadcast in Guayaquil. Ecuador had designated Los Tiguerones among 22 gangs as terrorists after declaring an internal armed conflict amid a surge in violence.

The US designation could allow the group to become a target under the Trump administration’s expanded military strategy against drug trafficking organisations. Rubio has previously described such groups as possessing weapons and equipment comparable to those of national armies.

Washington is also seeking to strengthen maritime operations with Ecuador. US forces recently intercepted and sank floating refuelling vessels that Washington said were supporting drug trafficking linked to Los Choneros, another Ecuadorian gang designated by the US as a foreign terrorist organisation. People aboard the vessels were removed before the vessels were destroyed and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

Rubio said he would ask the US Congress for $45 million in additional security funding for Ecuador. The package is intended to support the country’s fight against organised crime and drug trafficking. Washington is also providing additional equipment, including a Coast Guard cutter and five interceptor vessels.

The US has carried out dozens of deadly strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats since September 2025. At least 227 people have been killed in those operations, according to recent reports, prompting criticism from human rights groups over their legality. The recent interdiction of refuelling vessels appears to represent a shift towards boarding and transferring people to local authorities before destroying the vessels.

Ecuador has struggled with escalating gang violence since 2021 as rival criminal groups compete for control of cocaine trafficking routes and coastal ports. More than 300,000 Ecuadorians have reportedly been displaced by gang violence, highlighting the scale of the security crisis facing Noboa’s government.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury called his country a “loyal ally, an active ally and a decisive ally” in efforts to build a safer and more prosperous hemisphere.

Rubio was also awarded Ecuador’s second highest national honour, the National Order of Merit in the degree of Grand Cross, for his role in strengthening US Ecuador ties.

After Ecuador, Rubio is scheduled to travel to Lima to meet Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori. He had earlier visited Colombia, where he and President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to revive security cooperation after strained ties under the previous government.