The Trump administration declares war on drug traffickers as terrorists

The Trump administration takes a difficult position against drug traffickers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in Ecuador at a joint press conference with the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs that President Donald Trump seeks to “wage war” against narco-terrorists.

“It is a war against the killers. It is a war against terrorism. They are not narcotic drugs, it is narco-terrorists who terrorize the countries in which they operate,” said Rubio.

While he said that the United States was ready to support the equator in his fight against drug traffickers, he added that the relationship between the two countries is not solely on security. The Secretary of State said that the United States sought to extend its “already dynamic economic relationship” with the South American nation.

Trump’s strike on the cartel’s ship off Venezuela sends a warning to Maduro: “no sanctuary”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks about a press conference in Palacio de Carondelett on September 4, 2025 in Quito, Ecuador. (Franklin Jacome / Agencia Press South / Getty Images)

The remarks came by announcing the new designations of Los Choneros and Los Lobos as foreign terrorist organizations. The two groups are from the equator. In addition, the United States has initiated $ 13.7 million to combat drugs and crime, as well as $ 6 million in unanswered aircraft vehicles (UAV) for the Ecuadorian Navy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador Gabriela Sommerfeld walk on the stairs before offering a joint press conference at the Carondelet presidential palace in Quito on September 4, 2025. (Aachelyn Martin / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)

Rubio promises more strikes on venezuelans cartels: “ We are not going to sit down ”

Rubio stressed the importance of the designation, claiming that it allows nations to share information that “can be activated for potentially fatal operations”, which would allow the host country to withdraw terrorists.

The Secretary of State also discussed threats from Venezuela and the United States in the country. He said the United Nations suggested that Venezuela was not involved in drug trade.

“I don’t care what the UN says. The UN does not know what he is talking about. Maduro is charged by a large jury in the South New York district,” said Rubio about the Venezuelan dictator.

Venezuelan ship destroyed during the American military strike. (@Realdonaldtrump via social social)

“This means that the South New York district presented the evidence to a large jury, and a large jury charged it. And then a replaced indictment which was not sealed about a year and a half which specifically detailed Maduro’s actions. So the number one, that there is no doubt, Nicolás Maduro, is a drug trafficker indicated in the United States Fugitive from Maduro. “

Rubio also referred to “cooperative governments”, which, according to him, would help the United States identify and locate drug traffickers.

“They will help us identify them – they will help us find these people and explode them if that’s what you need. They will help us,” said Rubio.

Earlier this week, the American navies made an unprecedented strike on a ship operated at the cartel off Venezuela. This said the Trump administration adopted a new, more difficult approach to counter international drug trade. The strike killed 11 members of Tren of Aragua, whom the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in February.

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“Please let it be used as notice to anyone who thinks of adding drugs to the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Beware!”