The U.S. government is cracking down on criminal organizations in Latin America. They have expanded their official list of "foreign terrorist organizations" to include 21 different groups.

This list is a big deal. When the U.S. labels a group as a terrorist organization, it makes it much harder for them to move money or get support from the outside world. It also gives the U.S. military and law enforcement more tools to fight them.

Recent news shows the intensity of these efforts. Just recently, the U.S. destroyed a boat suspected of smuggling drugs. Senator Marco Rubio has been very vocal about these actions. He says these cartels are like a "cancer" that needs to be cut out.

However, these tough tactics are causing some friction. Senator Rubio is currently on a tour of Latin America, and his visits have sparked backlash in several places. Some people in the region are worried about how much power the U.S. is using in their countries.

The most recent group to be added to the list is a notorious gang from Ecuador. Ecuador has been dealing with a major rise in violence, and the U.S. is hoping this new designation will help put a stop to the chaos.

Experts say this is a major shift in how the U.S. handles drug cartels and criminal gangs. Instead of just treating them as police problems, the government is now treating them like international security threats. We will keep you updated as more groups are added to the list.

Source: Fox News