Rubio pledges more US support for Ecuador in fight against narco-trafficking

S Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new financial commitments and security assistance for Ecuador on Wednesday, saying Washington would designate another criminal group as a foreign terrorist organization as part of joint efforts against narco-trafficking networks.

Speaking at a news conference with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury in Quito, Rubio said the US and Ecuador were working together "in a way that really has no precedent" against groups he described as terror organizations rather than ordinary criminal networks.

"As we speak right now, our elite forces are operating jointly, going after criminal groups, dismantling narco networks, and bringing people to justice that have never been brought to justice before," he said.

Rubio said Washington would ask Congress for $45 million in new commitments to support Ecuador's efforts, along with a separate $10 million initiative targeting illegal gold mining, gang recruitment, illicit finance, and land and maritime drug trafficking.

He said the US would also deliver a 110-foot Coast Guard cutter to Ecuador to strengthen its navy's ability to counter maritime narcotics and weapons trafficking, illegal fishing, and other threats.

Rubio said the US would designate the group Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organization, following the designation of Los Lobos and Los Choneros last year.

Kury called Rubio's visit "a very important diplomatic milestone," saying it reflected "the excellent moment that Ecuador and the United States are undergoing jointly with our administrations."

Earlier Wednesday, Rubio met with President Daniel Noboa in Quito. He was later awarded Ecuador's National Order of Merit in the grade of Grand Cross.