Rubio defends US strikes on suspected drug boats, vows to fight cartel ‘cancer’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended US airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats during a visit to Ecuador, warning that Latin American cartels would "eat these countries alive" if left unchecked. Hailing a new generation of conservative leaders forming alliances with President Donald Trump, Rubio praised Washington for finding partners willing to be "very aggressive" against criminal groups.

Since Trump's return to power, the US has conducted airstrikes against vessels using known trafficking routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 200 deaths. Rights groups, fishermen, and their families have criticized the campaign, alleging targets were hit without sufficient evidence linking them to trafficking.

Experts have also questioned whether the strikes effectively curb drug flows to the United States, the world's largest consumer. At a press conference in Quito, Rubio emphasized that the operations would continue, calling the cartels "a cancer" that must be stopped before the region faces a state collapse. In recent weeks, there have been reports of US-Ecuador joint patrols removing crews from at least six boats before sinking them, with decisions based on vessel threat, location, and local laws.

Rubio also announced the designation of the gang Los Tiguerones as a "terrorist organization" and imposed sanctions on seven Ecuadoran officials linked to the group.