American Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador on Wednesday September 9 to intensify the fight against drug cartels, which have transformed the country into one of the most violent in Latin America. This trip takes place as part of a tour intended to consolidate alliances with the conservative leaders of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and to consolidate the influence of the United States in Latin America.
From Quito, the head of American diplomacy announced that the Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones would now be designated as a “terrorist organization”, which prohibits them from any access to the American financial system and any transaction or support in their favor. Washington had already done the same with other Ecuadorian gangs, but also with the Tren de Aragua in Venezuela and the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.
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“We are not talking about an ordinary mafia, we are not talking about criminals, we are talking about terrorists,” Marco Rubio said at a press conference. This organization is involved in drug and arms trafficking, as well as illegal mining, money laundering, extortion and assassinations, according to the Ecuadorian Organized Crime Observatory.
Mexico accused of not doing enough against cartels
The US official also announced that seven former members of the Ecuadorian government would be sanctioned “for accepting bribes” and for their links to illegal groups. He also promised to send a coast guard patrol boat and five new interception vessels.
A former police officer and a former Ecuadorian businessman suspected of being involved in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023 will also be extradited to the United States, the Quito prosecutor’s office announced on Wednesday.
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Marco Rubio said Mexico, led by left-wing President Claudia Sheinbaum, also needed to do more in the fight against drug cartels. “The Mexicans have made more efforts than they have ever done before to attack these groups, but it is still not enough,” he declared, judging that this threat will have to be faced “one way or another”.
His visit comes as Washington and Quito, close allies, are carrying out joint military operations against fishing boats accused of serving drug traffickers in the Ecuadorian Pacific. The military sank six boats in two weeks, the last dating from Tuesday, sparking criticism from human rights defenders.
Marco Rubio spoke with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, whose war against organized crime has failed to reduce violence. With its ports on the Pacific and its geographical position between Colombia and Peru – the world’s largest producers of cocaine – the country has in just a few years become the departure point for 70% of the world’s cocaine, destined in particular for the United States and Europe.
The tour of the highest American diplomat to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru comes in the wake of a conservative wave in Latin America which brought right-wing politicians close to Donald Trump to the summit of power.
Marco Rubio in Peru on Thursday
During a visit to Colombia on Tuesday, Marco Rubio promised new hard-right leader Abelardo de la Espriella to strengthen ties with Bogota, after four years of left-wing government. He indicated that discussions were underway to help Colombia “in terms of equipment, intelligence and specialized training” but that Bogota had not requested the sending of ground troops.
Since taking office in early August, Abelardo de la Espriella has strengthened military cooperation with Washington and intensified operations against the country’s armed groups involved in drug trafficking.
Washington does not hide its intention to counter the influence of China, Russia and Iran in Latin America, a priority defined in the national security strategy.
After Ecuador, the head of diplomacy is expected Thursday in Peru, led since July by conservative President Keiko Fujimori. This country is the latest to join the “Shield of the Americas”, a coalition of countries led by Donald Trump to fight drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.
With AFP
