Story perspectives

Rubio Requests $45 Million to Dismantle Ecuador Terror Groups

9/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Congress for $45 million to dismantle terrorist groups in Ecuador.
Rubio met President Daniel Noboa in Quito, calling Ecuador the most aggressive counter-drug partner.
Rubio designated the Los Tiguerones cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
Rubio will travel to Lima to meet new Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, a Trump ally.
U.S. forces sank a Los Choneros-linked vessel, the sixth interception in under two weeks.

History

Historical Context

In 2000 the United States launched Plan Colombia, a $1.3 billion program that combined aerial coca eradication with expanded military training for Colombian forces. The 2004 congressional boost raised U.S. advisors to 800 and helped destroy over 380,000 hectares of coca, weakening the FARC. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s 2024 request for $45 million to target Ecuadorian cartels mirrors that same strategy.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Congress for $45 million to dismantle terrorist groups in Ecuador.
Rubio met President Daniel Noboa in Quito, calling Ecuador the most aggressive counter-drug partner.
Rubio designated the Los Tiguerones cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
Rubio will travel to Lima to meet new Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, a Trump ally.
U.S. forces sank a Los Choneros-linked vessel, the sixth interception in under two weeks.

1 / 2