US-Ecuador Joint Military Operations

The U.S. and Ecuador have begun a joint military operation against organized crime groups in the South American country, according to the Pentagon.

U.S. Southern Command released a statement late Tuesday saying Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched “operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador.” The statement called the action a “powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.”

A social media post said: “We are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere.” The post included a video of a helicopter flying over a group of men walking on the ground. No other information is revealed.

The operation in the South American country was not mentioned in the Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, which focused solely on the Iranian conflict.

Ecuador Drug Hub

President Daniel Noboa stated his government initiated a new phase against organized crime with joint actions alongside allied countries. The South American country has sustained a wave of violence linked to a variety of crimes, including illegal mining and drug trafficking.

Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, said: “We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.”

Noboa said, “Ecuador demands security; our people need to live in peace.” He asserts military and police forces are involved in the “very important” operations.

In February, Noboa ordered the foreign ministry to seek cooperation agreements with “allied nations” that would usher in “the incorporation of special forces” temporarily as support.

The South American country has been identified as a critical logistical hun in the global drug trade. Drugs are stockpiled, stored, and distributed, particularly cocaine.

In January 2024, gangs stormed a television station, held the staff hostage, and launched a wave of violence during a live broadcast. Noboa declared a state of emergency. The government has been engaged in a low-level internal armed conflict with the gangs since then.

The military has not released any details concerning the operation but said in a statement that it is an extension of strikes carried out by the Trump administration against suspected drug trafficking organizations.

Trump Administration Against Narco-Terrorists

Since President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. has made an effort to curb the flow of drugs from the Southern Hemisphere. The U.S. has conducted approximately 45 strikes against suspected smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, killing more than 150 people.

In January, U.S. military forces raided Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro. He was brought to New York to face charges, including drug trafficking.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador in September. While there, two groups were designated as terrorist organizations: Los Lobos and Los Choneros. Rubio told reporters the U.S. would “blow up” those groups if necessary.

The Coast Guard was deployed in the eastern Pacific, off the coasts of Ecuador, Colombia, and other South American countries to interdict cocaine shipments in Operation Pacific Viper.

Sources:

POLITICO: US launches military operations in Ecuador
Military Times: US and Ecuador launch military operation against organized crime groups
The New York Times: U.S. Opens Military Action in Ecuador Against ‘Terrorist Organizations’

Featured Image Courtesy of U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License