Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the US is ready to “blow up” foreign crime groups, saying Washington will act with or without allied support. Speaking in Ecuador, he confirmed plans to designate the country’s largest gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist organisations, BBC reported.

The move follows a US strike in the Caribbean that killed 11 suspected traffickers linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua. Rubio also announced $19.5m in aid and drones to help Ecuador fight soaring cartel violence.

He said friendly governments would assist in targeting smugglers, while stressing President Trump’s commitment to waging war on cartels that “have been waging war on us for 30 years.”