State Department Labels Ecuador Gangs as Global Terrorists
Published Date: 9/5/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. government has officially labeled two dangerous groups, Los Choneros and Los Lobos, as global terrorists. This means their assets in the U.S. will be frozen, and Americans are banned from doing business with them. These actions start immediately to protect national security and stop their harmful activities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
U.S. Asset Freezes on Two Groups
The Department of State determined on August 6, 2025 that Los Choneros and Los Lobos are specially designated global terrorists. Their assets located in the United States will be blocked or frozen under Executive Order 13224 as published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2025. If you or your business hold funds or property tied to these groups, those assets would be frozen by U.S. authorities.
Americans Banned from Doing Business
Under the same determination, Americans are prohibited from engaging in transactions or doing business with Los Choneros and Los Lobos pursuant to Executive Order 13224. This prohibition was finalized with the determination dated August 6, 2025 and published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2025. If you planned to transact with these groups, those activities are now legally banned.
No Prior Notice for Some U.S.-Present Persons
The determination cites section 10 of Executive Order 13224 and states that no prior notice will be provided to any person subject to the determination who might have a constitutional presence in the United States. The Department says giving prior notice would make the blocking measures ineffective; the determination is dated August 6, 2025 and published September 5, 2025. That means individuals or entities meeting that description will not receive advance warning before blocking actions occur.
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