Marco Rubio: “The UN Is Clueless, Maduro Is a Drug Kingpin”

On a visit to Quito last Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched sharp criticisms at the United Nations and Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, branding him a “drug kingpin.”

Speaking from the Palacio de Carondelet, Rubio dismissed the U.N. World Drug Report—which claims only 5% of cocaine bound for the U.S. passes through Venezuela—declaring, “I don’t care what the UN says, because the UN doesn’t know what it’s talking about.”

The statement coincided with Rubio’s meeting with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, during which he announced that the criminal outfits Los Choneros and Los Lobos will be designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. Department of State.

This move paves the way for U.S. armed forces to treat these gangs as external enemies, enabling asset freezes, sanctions on members, and joint lethal operations.

A New Military Approach to Drug Trafficking

Central to Rubio’s visit was a shift toward a militarized fight against narcotics.

He emphasized that under this doctrine, the strategy will no longer be “chasing speedboats and arresting crews” but “striking criminal networks directly”—as exemplified by a recent U.S. missile strike on a vessel in the Caribbean suspected of carrying drugs, which killed eleven people.

To support this offensive, the U.S. will allocate US$13.5 million to Ecuador’s security forces, including US$6 million for naval drones to monitor key trafficking routes.

In return, Quito agreed to act as a “third safe country,” accepting migrants deported from the United States, thereby strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and migration.

Turning Up Pressure on Caracas

By linking Ecuadorian gangs to a purported Venezuelan cartel network, the U.S. administration intensifies its pressure on Maduro, who is indicted by a New York grand jury for international drug trafficking.

Rubio asserted that Washington will “hunt them down wherever they are,” extending its drug war beyond Ecuador’s borders.

Domestic Impact in Ecuador

For President Daniel Noboa, labeling these factions as foreign terrorists lends political backing to tougher domestic security measures.

Ecuador recorded 5,268 violent homicides in the first seven months of 2025—a 40% increase over the same period in 2024—and has already classified 23 criminal groups as terrorist organizations.

While the decision enjoys broad governmental support, analysts warn of the risks of over-militarizing crime control and potential human rights violations.

Ecuador’s judiciary must now assess the legality of joint operations and ensure military actions remain within constitutional bounds.

Looking Ahead

Rubio indicated that additional criminal groups operating in Ecuador will join the U.S. terrorism list in the coming weeks, underscoring America’s proactive stance.

This deepened U.S.–Ecuador partnership aims to curb regional narcotics trafficking but raises questions about sovereignty, civil liberties, and the role of multilateral institutions in hemispheric security.

Rubio’s visit makes clear that in Washington’s view, the U.N. has lost credibility in drug monitoring, while strategic alliances and direct action set the new standard for combating organized crime in Latin America.