Noboa and Rubio join forces against the Cartel of the Suns, sign in defense of institutional order
Rafa Gómez-Santos Martín
In a day of marked geopolitical significance, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Carondelet Palace in Quito, with the aim of consolidating strategic cooperation based on public security, institutional order, and the defense of family and social traditions.
During the meeting, it was reaffirmed that Ecuador and the US are advancing cooperation in security, migration, and development. US authorities proposed that Ecuador act as a “safe third country,” able to receive up to 300 refugees per year, provided they meet certain requirements regarding good records and health.
In terms of security, a package of aid was announced that includes $13.5 million in security assistance and $6 million for lethal drone technology, aimed at combating transnational criminal structures.
Noboa explicitly supported the designation of the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization. According to him, it is a regional, organized, and militarized threat, circulating thousands of tons of drugs with projections toward the United States, Europe, and other regions.
The president was categorical about Nicolás Maduro’s role: “He is the head of the Cartel of the Suns,” he stated, citing intelligence reports as the basis for his conviction.
On July 25, 2025, the US Treasury Department declared the Cartel of the Suns an international terrorist organization, a measure supported by other countries in the region, including Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic.
At the same time, the US deployed a naval force in the Caribbean with amphibious landing ships, destroyers, and thousands of Marines, demonstrating the strength of the anti-narcotics coalition.