The designation allows U.S. authorities to take more aggressive actions against them or anyone seen as aiding the organization.
Six camo-clad Chinese were caught sneaking across the border with cartel help.
The deal is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to press Latin American countries to agree to joint operations inside their borders.
The Trump administration is weighing declaring Brazil’s two largest drug gangs terrorist groups, after lobbying by the sons of jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Drug gangs have turned the South American country into one of the most dangerous in the region and the world’s leading exporter of cocaine.
"a powerful example"
"Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere."
U.S. and Ecuadorian forces announced drug-trafficking military crackdown operations in Ecuador on Tuesday. The big picture: U.S. Southern Command in a Tuesday night statement said the operations targeted "Designated Terrorist Organizations ," hailing the cooperation as "a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism." - SOUTHCOM's commander, Marine Gen. Francis Donovan, met in Quito with senior Ecuadorian officials including President Daniel Noboa on Sunday and Monday "to discuss security cooperation" and reaffirm the U.S. "commitment to supporting the nation's efforts to confront narco-terrorism and strengthen regional security," per an earlier statement .…
U.S. and Ecuadorian forces announced drug-trafficking military crackdown operations in Ecuador on Tuesday. The big picture: U.S. Southern Command in a Tuesday night statement said the operations targeted "Designated Terrorist Organizations ," hailing the cooperation as "a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism." - SOUTHCOM's commander, Marine Gen. Francis Donovan, met in Quito with senior Ecuadorian officials including President Daniel Noboa on Sunday and Monday "to discuss security cooperation" and reaffirm the U.S. "commitment to supporting the nation's efforts to confront narco-terrorism and strengthen regional security," per an earlier statement .…Open