US Lists Ecuador's Fractured Tiguerones Gang as a Terrorist Group

The United States State Department has added the Tiguerones gang to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), expanding the government’s legal authority to target the group and its members. However, despite this designation, the Tiguerones are far from a unified organization. The gang, which operates primarily in Ecuador, is known for its involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and terrorist activities.

In May 2022, Ecuadorian police accused the Tiguerones of being responsible for a car bomb explosion near a police station in Guayaquil, one of the country’s largest cities and a key transit point for drugs destined for Europe. The group also made international headlines when its members stormed a television station during a live broadcast in January 2024, leading President Daniel Noboa to declare an internal armed conflict and designate several criminal groups as terrorist organizations.

The Tiguerones have experienced significant fragmentation over the past few years, with rival factions emerging within the gang. In Guayaquil, two major factions—Los Fénix and Los Igualitos—have formed, each aligning itself with other criminal networks such as the Choneros and Lobos. This division has weakened the group's overall cohesion and power.

In Esmeraldas, a region in northwestern Ecuador that serves as one of the Tiguerones’ main strongholds, the gang has lost significant territory to its rivals, particularly the Lobos. The fragmentation began following the arrest of William Joffre Alcívar Bautista, also known by his aliases "Negro Willy" or simply "Willy," who was considered the leader of the Tiguerones. He was apprehended in Spain in October 2024.

Ecuador requested Willy’s extradition but faced delays due to concerns about his safety if returned to Ecuador. In December 2025, he was unexpectedly released from custody after the deadline for providing guarantees expired without resolution. His release has further complicated efforts to dismantle the Tiguerones and may have contributed to their ongoing fragmentation.

The US designation of the Tiguerones as a terrorist organization aims to enhance cooperation between American law enforcement agencies and their Ecuadorian counterparts in combating this criminal network. However, the complex internal dynamics and divisions within the Tiguerones suggest that dismantling the group will be challenging despite increased international pressure.