local
U.S. designates Ecuador's "Chone Killers" gang a terrorist organization
By CBS Texas at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· July 2, 2026
· 3 min read
The United States on Wednesday designated Ecuadorian gang the "Chone Killers" as a foreign terrorist organization, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. The gang "has committed numerous attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials, including high-profile assassi...
Key takeaway "The Government of Ecuador thanks the firm support of the United States for the decision by President Daniel Noboa to maintain an all-out fight against criminal organizations," the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The designation of the Chone Killers as a foreign terrorist organization has significant implications for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, given the region's historical ties to international trade and commerce. As a major cocaine trafficking hub, Ecuador's instability can have a ripple effect on local law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking in North Texas. The fact that the Chone Killers are an offshoot of Los Choneros, a gang previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization, suggests a complex web of criminal activity that can spread beyond Ecuador's borders. With the freezing of assets and potential sanctions, local authorities may see an increase in cooperation from Ecuadorian authorities to disrupt revenue streams funding violent narcoterrorists, potentially leading to a decrease in drug-related activity in the DFW area. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how this designation affects local efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more Southlake News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The United States on Wednesday designated Ecuadorian gang the "Chone Killers" as a foreign terrorist organization, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. The gang "has committed numerous attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers, and government officials, including high-profile assassi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS Texas at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter