US and Ecuador forces launch operation to fight drug trafficking

March 4, 2026

Ecuador and the United States have initiated joint military operations targeting designated terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking in Ecuador. President Daniel Noboa announced this "new phase" in the country's battle against drug cartels, noting that approximately 70% of global cocaine now passes through Ecuador's major ports. The collaboration follows high-level meetings between Ecuadorean officials and US military commanders to coordinate information sharing and operations at key transportation hubs.

Who is affected

Ecuadorean citizens experiencing violence from drug cartels
Drug-trafficking organizations and designated terrorist groups in Ecuador
President Daniel Noboa and his administration
US military personnel (Southern Command, Air Force, Special Operations)
US Southern Command chief Francis Donovan and Mark Schafer
Citizens throughout the Western Hemisphere affected by narco-terrorism
Neighboring countries Colombia and Peru as cocaine producers

What action is being taken

Ecuadorean and US forces are launching joint operations against designated terrorist organizations
Military personnel are conducting operational coordination at airports and seaports
Information sharing is occurring between US and Ecuadorean forces
US Air Force personnel are temporarily deployed to the former US base in Manta
The Trump administration is carrying out lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in the fight against drug trafficking in a country that has become one of the world's major narcotics transit points, with 70% of global cocaine flowing through its ports. Ecuador's strategic location between Colombia and Peru, the world's largest cocaine producers, makes it crucial for disrupting international drug networks. The operations address the surge in violence and organized crime that has transformed Ecuador into a major drug-trafficking hotspot in recent years, threatening regional security and stability throughout the hemisphere.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC