Terrorist Designations of Los Choneros and Los Lobos

Today, Secretary Rubio announced the designations of Los Choneros and Los Lobos as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).  

Los Choneros and Los Lobos have attacked and threatened public officials and their families, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists in Ecuador.  Both Los Choneros and Los Lobos are linked to U.S.-designated FTOs and SDGTs Cártel de Sinaloa and Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación.  Their ultimate goal is to control drug trafficking routes through Ecuador by terrorizing and inflicting brutal violence on the Ecuadorian people.  In July, U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities cooperated to extradite the leader of Los Choneros, Fito Macias, who was the first Ecuadorian citizen extradited from Ecuador to face justice in the United States.  

The United States, in partnership with Ecuador and its President Daniel Noboa, will continue to protect our two nations by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding drug cartels’ terrorism and criminal activity.  Today’s action further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to eliminating cartels and ensuring the safety of the American people.  

Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224.  FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.