U.S. and Ecuador Begin Joint Military Fight Against Drug Cartels

American and Ecuadorian military forces have started working together to combat organized crime and drug trafficking operations in Ecuador. The U.S. Southern Command announced the joint mission but has not revealed specific locations or details about the scope of operations.

QUITO, Ecuador — Military forces from the United States and Ecuador have initiated collaborative operations targeting organized criminal networks in the South American nation, according to U.S. military officials who have not disclosed specific locations or the full extent of the mission.

The U.S. Southern Command announced late Tuesday that both nations’ armed forces had commenced operations, describing the effort as a “powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.”

A brief 30-second video shared on social media platform X depicted a helicopter flying above several individuals on the ground, though the clip ended without revealing the operation’s location or additional details.

“We are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere,” officials stated in the social media post, while withholding further operational specifics.

Neither Ecuador’s foreign affairs nor defense departments immediately provided comments to The Associated Press regarding the joint mission. The operation received no mention during Wednesday’s U.S. defense secretary briefing, which concentrated on Iran-related matters.

Earlier this week, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa had announced his administration’s plans to begin collaborative efforts with other nations as part of an expanded campaign against organized crime, as the country confronts ongoing violence connected to narcotics trafficking and unauthorized mining activities.

“Ecuador demands security, our people need to live in peace,” Noboa stated, explaining that both military personnel and police officers would participate in what he characterized as “very important” operations.

The South American nation maintains strong diplomatic ties with the United States, Israel, and Italy, frequently working together on security-related challenges.

In February, Noboa directed the foreign ministry to pursue cooperation agreements with “allied nations” that would enable “the incorporation of special forces” on a temporary basis to assist Ecuadorian police and military personnel.

Government officials recognize Ecuador as a crucial operational center in international drug trafficking networks, where narcotics — especially cocaine — are accumulated, warehoused, and shipped, particularly from the northern Colombian border region. These shipments move through Ecuadorian ports to destinations in Central America, the United States, and Europe.