QUITO — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador on Wednesday to hold talks with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in Quito. The meeting marked the second leg of a three-nation tour of South America focused on security cooperation against drug trafficking.

The tour aims to boost security cooperation with conservative leaders in alignment with the Trump administration's push to counter drug trafficking. Rubio met with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia on Tuesday before traveling to Ecuador.

Rubio and de la Espriella made public remarks in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Tuesday. "We have a lot of common interests with them, both taking on regional transnational criminal terrorism and also economic engagements," Rubio said. He added, "It’s part of a trend that you’re seeing in the Western Hemisphere of alignment with U.S. and U.S. interests."

Ecuador has struggled to contain drug violence since 2021 as rival cartels partner with local gangs for control of smuggling routes and coastal ports. The country is located between Colombia and Peru, the world’s top cocaine-producing countries. U.S. forces intercepted and sank a vessel on Tuesday that Washington stated had links to the Ecuadorian criminal group Los Choneros. People aboard the intercepted vessel were removed and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

The interception was the sixth such operation in less than two weeks and the second in two days. U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in Latin American waters began in September 2025. A series of U.S. strikes on boats over the year has killed at least 227 people.

The U.S. military carried out at least two deadly strikes last month. The Trump administration accused those killed in the strikes of being “narcoterrorists” without providing evidence.

Rubio will travel from Quito to Lima, Peru, to meet with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori. Rubio stated that Washington hoped to conclude trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador 'in the foreseeable future'.

Why It Matters

The designation of Los Lobos and Los Choneros as terrorist groups and the accompanying financial aid represent an escalation in U.S. involvement in Ecuador's internal security challenges. This move aligns with broader regional efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks that have exploited Ecuador's geographic position between major cocaine producers. The $13.5 million in aid is intended to bolster Ecuador's capacity to secure its borders and ports, which have become critical nodes for international drug smuggling.

The diplomatic tour reflects the Trump administration's strategy of partnering with conservative leaders in Latin America to combat what it terms transnational criminal terrorism. By combining security designations with economic incentives like trade agreement prospects and critical-minerals partnerships, the U.S. seeks to deepen institutional ties while addressing shared security threats. The ongoing U.S. military strikes in regional waters, which have resulted in numerous casualties, highlight the aggressive posture adopted by Washington in this campaign.

Timeline

On September 8, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist groups during his meeting with Ecuadorian President Noboa in Quito on September 8, 2026, and stated that the U.S. would provide $13.5 million to help Ecuador improve its ability to provide security for its citizens and combat drugs and crime.

What's New

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist groups during his meeting with Ecuadorian President Noboa in Quito on September 8, 2026, and stated that the U.S. would provide $13.5 million to help Ecuador improve its security capabilities. No specific hearing, meeting, deadline, or decision date was mentioned in the official record of the event in connection with the talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ecuadorian President Noboa in Quito.

How Sources Differ

Regarding Ecuadorian President Noboa, primary source and Rubio held talks in Quito with Ecuadorian President Noboa, while state.gov reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist groups during his meeting with Ecuadorian President Noboa in Quito on September 8, 2026, and stated that the U.S. would provide aid. Regarding State Marco Rubio, state.gov reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist groups during his meeting with Ecuadorian President Noboa in Quito on September 8, 2026, and stated that the U.S. would provide aid, while primary source and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador on Wednesday. Regarding Marco Rubio, state.gov reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist groups during his meeting with Ecuadorian President Noboa in Quito on September 8, 2026, and stated that the U.S. would provide aid, while US, Colombia seal critical minerals, nuclear pacts reports that Marco Rubio stated that Washington hoped to conclude trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador 'in the foreseeable future'.