QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recognized Ecuador on Wednesday as a significant partner in the Trump administration's efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere. Rubio made the remarks during his visit to Quito, which is part of a three-nation tour of South America aimed at enhancing security cooperation with conservative leaders aligned with President Donald Trump.
Rubio met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who has adopted the Trump administration's stringent approach to counternarcotics and immigration. He stated that "elite forces" from both nations are collaborating daily in unprecedented ways to dismantle terrorist organizations.
During the visit, Rubio announced the designation of Ecuador's Los Tiguerones drug trafficking group as a foreign terrorist organization, part of a broader designation of 22 criminal gangs by Ecuador in 2024 following a declaration of internal armed conflict amid rising violence.
Ecuador has been assisting the U.S. in intercepting and sinking vessels linked to criminal groups, including a recent operation that targeted a ship associated with the Ecuadorian group Los Choneros. This marked the sixth such operation in less than two weeks.
Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury described the country as a "loyal ally" in efforts to create a safer and more prosperous hemisphere. Rubio indicated he would request $45 million from Congress to continue funding operations aimed at dismantling terrorist groups, though he did not detail the specific allocation of these funds.
Ecuador has faced challenges in controlling drug-related violence since 2021, as rival cartels have allied with local gangs to vie for control of smuggling routes and coastal ports. The country is strategically located between Colombia and Peru, the leading cocaine producers globally.
Under President Noboa, Ecuador has strengthened its partnership with the U.S. in counterdrug initiatives. Recent U.S. interdictions in Latin American waters differ from previous strikes on drug-trafficking boats that began in September 2025, with a focus on removing individuals from floating refueling stations suspected of supporting drug trafficking.
Rubio was awarded Ecuador's National Order of Merit in the degree of Grand Cross for his efforts to enhance U.S.-Ecuador relations. He praised Noboa's commitment to securing the country, while Noboa acknowledged Rubio's role in fostering peace and security in the region.
Rubio's tour will continue in Lima, where he will meet with new Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, who shares similar views on drug trade and migration. He previously met with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, highlighting a renewed focus on U.S.-Colombia relations in the security sector.