Quito – On September 17, 2025, Ecuador made a bold move by officially designating Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as terrorist organizations, a decision announced by President Daniel Noboa and reported by Israeli influencer Hananya Naftali on X. The declaration, marked by a formal decree signed amid national flags, follows intelligence linking these groups to criminal networks in South America. The image, featuring Noboa in a suit with Ecuador’s vibrant flag, underscores the gravity of this historic shift in policy.

This designation, effective immediately, aligns Ecuador with nations like the U.S. and Israel in combating Iran’s terror influence, with Noboa citing threats to regional security as the driving force. The move comes after evidence of Hezbollah’s presence in Venezuela and Hamas’s ties to local cartels, prompting Ecuador to sever ties with these entities. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised the decision, calling it a “courageous step” against Iran’s network. The international community watches closely as Ecuador navigates potential backlash, with hopes this will strengthen global anti-terror efforts.