Terrorist Designation of Chone Killers

07/01/2026 02:38 PM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Terrorist Designation of Chone Killers

Press Statement

July 1, 2026

Today, the U.S. Department of State is designating Chone Killers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

Chone Killers is an Ecuadorian gang that has committed numerous attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials, including high-profile assassinations of public officials. Chone Killers originated as a faction of Los Choneros – a designated FTO and SDGT – before splintering into a separate group in 2020.

The Trump Administration, in partnership with Ecuador and President Daniel Noboa, will continue to protect our hemisphere by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding violent narcoterrorists. The Department’s action today further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to dismantling cartels and narcoterrorists in our region 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.