Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador on Wednesday to press the fight against narco-terrorists who have transformed the country into one of Latin America's most violent.

Rubio visited Quito as the second stop on a three-nation tour designed to shore up conservative allies in Colombia, Ecuador and a third nation.

The visit highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to counter drug trafficking networks and associated violence that have destabilized parts of the region. Ecuador has seen a sharp rise in homicides and gang activity linked to these groups in recent years.

Rubio's meetings focused on security cooperation and support for local authorities confronting the threat. The tour aims to build stronger partnerships with governments aligned on conservative principles and regional stability.

This stop follows an earlier visit to Colombia and precedes one additional destination. Officials described the itinerary as a direct response to the spread of narco-terrorism across borders.