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Joint military operations target drug trafficking in Ecuador
Ecuador and the United States have initiated coordinated military actions against groups designated as terrorist organizations by Quito, the US Southern Command announced on Tuesday. The operations aim to disrupt illicit drug networks, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Ecuador's strategic role in cocaine trade
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa revealed on Monday that the US is among regional partners supporting a new phase in Ecuador's crackdown on drug cartels. He emphasized that approximately 70% of global cocaine passes through Ecuador's ports, making the country a critical hub for trafficking organizations. Ecuador shares borders with Colombia and Peru, the world's top cocaine producers.
Political context and US military presence
The latest operations follow a setback for US ambitions in the region. In November, Ecuadorian voters rejected a referendum that would have permitted the return of foreign military bases, complicating efforts to expand US influence in the eastern Pacific. Noboa, a close ally of former US President Donald Trump, has prioritized combating organized crime amid rising violence.
Recent high-level discussions
On Monday, Noboa met in Quito with US Southern Command chief General Francis Donovan and Mark Schafer, head of US Special Operations for Central and South America and the Caribbean. The meeting focused on enhancing intelligence sharing and coordination at airports and seaports, according to a statement from Noboa's office.
"Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere," the US Southern Command stated.
US escalates anti-drug efforts in Latin America
The announcement follows a temporary deployment of US Air Force personnel to the former Manta base in Ecuador's port city three months ago. The Trump administration has intensified its anti-drug operations, conducting over 40 lethal strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific since September.
In January, the US detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of "narco-terrorism" and facilitating the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine to the US. Tensions with Colombia have also risen, with Trump accusing President Gustavo Petro's administration of failing to curb drug flows and hinting at potential military action.
