Mr. Rubio welcomed the rise of a new generation of conservative leaders – allies of U.S. President Donald Trump – in the region and said Washington is finding partners willing to be “very aggressive” against criminal groups.
Read more Football stars clashed in America: «Who are you, fool? I won the World Cup!»
Since Trump returned to power, the U.S. has begun conducting airstrikes against vessels sailing known smuggling routes in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
According to Pentagon data, more than 200 people have died during these operations.
Human rights groups, fishermen, and their relatives have questioned this campaign, claiming that ships have become targets without sufficient evidence of links to smuggling.
Experts also doubt whether these actions help reduce the flow of cocaine and other drugs into the U.S. – the world’s largest consumer.
Speaking after talks with President Daniel Noboa Kite, Mr. Rubio said the operations will continue.
“If you don’t stand up to these groups, they will eat these countries alive,” he warned. “It’s like cancer that keeps growing until there is simply no state left.”
“I am glad that in this region we have leaders who seriously fight these groups, because if we didn’t, we would see one failed state after another,” Mr. Rubio said.
In recent weeks, there have been signs that the tactics are changing: joint U.S. and Ecuadorian patrols have disembarked crews from at least six ships before sinking them.
Mr. Rubio said decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and depended on the threat posed by the ship, its location, and local laws.
“When you conduct a joint operation in territorial waters, you have to agree on how those operations will proceed,” he said.
Asked if ships will continue to be destroyed, Mr. Rubio replied: “Again, it depends (on the circumstances), and we are still blowing up ships.”
Later on Wednesday, the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported that U.S. forces carried out a “lethal kinetic strike on a fast-moving vessel operating on established drug smuggling routes in the Caribbean Sea.”
Read more Do you divine very hot coffee? Scientists have sad news for you
During the operation, “three drug terrorists were killed,” SOUTHCOM reported on the social network X, also releasing a black-and-white video showing a ship exploding and burning.
In Ecuador alone, more than 25,000 people have been killed in the past three years as drug gangs fight for control of smuggling routes.
“We are talking about terrorists who in many cases have weapons and equipment similar to some countries’ national armies,” Mr. Rubio said.
Regional ambitions
While in Kite, he announced that one gang – “Los Tiguerones” – was designated a terrorist organization and that sanctions were also imposed on seven former Ecuadorian officials.
“Los Tiguerones” gained international attention in early 2024 when masked gang members stormed a television studio during a live broadcast, fired shots, and forced the frightened crew to lie on the ground.
After visits to Colombia and Ecuador, Mr. Rubio arrived in Lima on Wednesday evening, where he will meet with Peruvian leaders. This will be the final stage of his trip aimed at strengthening right-wing allies and increasing U.S. influence throughout the region.
In Colombia, Mr. Rubio promised to restore “natural relations” with Bogota after several years of leftist rule.
He had fewer warm words for leftist-led Mexico, which he said is strengthening the fight against cartels, “but still far from enough.”
“There are territories in Mexico, huge territories, that the state does not control,” he said. “We will have to confront that threat one way or another.”
His last stop is Peru, which has been led since July by conservative President Keiko Fujimori.
He is expected to promote the U.S.-backed security partnership initiative “American Shield” in this country.
Read more DI, humanoids and the anxiety-filled younger generation: what kind of theater awaits our future?
