QUITO, Ecuador The United States will designate two of Ecuador's most powerful gangs Los Lobos and Los Choneros as foreign terrorist organizations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced during a one day visit to the South American country on Thursday. The move allows Washington to freeze assets, target associates and share intelligence with Ecuador for what Rubio described as "potentially lethal" operations. He pledged $13.5 million in security assistance and $6 million in drone technology to support Ecuador's fight against organized crime.
Between 2018 and 2023 cocaine seizures rose by 750%, marking Germany as a significant European hub in the global cocaine trade, impacting addiction and corruption.