The United States and Ecuadorian armed forces have launched joint military operations against criminal groups involved in drug trafficking within the region.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Pentagon's Southern Command shared this information on its official X social media account.
According to the statement, the primary objective of the operations is to combat narcoterrorism and neutralize structures that foster violence, terror, and corruption in the region. Pentagon officials stated that these steps demonstrate the determined struggle of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean against criminal organizations.
The head of the US Southern Command, General Francis L. Donovan, highly praised the courage of the Ecuadorian military:
"We applaud the determination and unwavering fighting spirit demonstrated by the Ecuadorian armed forces against narcoterrorists."
It should be noted that in September of last year, the US State Department added Ecuador's two largest cartels, "Los Lobos" and "Los Choneros," to the list of foreign terrorist organizations. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Defense of Ecuador announced the transition to a new stage of operations against drug cartels.
This military cooperation aligns with the broader security strategy under US President Donald Trump, whose administration has emphasized strengthening regional alliances to secure borders and dismantle international criminal networks. Ecuador has recently faced a surge in gang-related violence, prompting the government to declare an internal armed conflict and seek increased international support to restore order and public safety.
