US and Ecuador Launch Joint Operations to Combat Narco-Terrorism

The United States Southern Command has launched joint operations with Ecuador to combat drug trafficking by groups designated as terrorist organizations, including Los Choneros and Los Lobos. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said the country is entering a “new phase” in fighting narco-terrorism. The operations involve intelligence sharing and coordination at key ports and airports, as Ecuador serves as a major transit route for cocaine from Colombia and Peru. Violence among rival gangs has increased, and the collaboration aims to disrupt trafficking networks and strengthen regional security.

The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has officially begun joint security operations with Ecuador as part of an intensified effort to combat drug trafficking networks that US authorities describe as “designated terrorist organizations.” The operations commenced on Tuesday and represent a significant deepening of military and security cooperation between the two countries.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, SOUTHCOM described the initiative as a clear and forceful example of the commitment shown by partners across Latin America and the Caribbean to confront what it termed the scourge of narco-terrorism. The US military command stressed that transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking not only undermine regional stability but also pose direct threats to public safety and democratic institutions.
Ecuador’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the joint operations are underway but declined to release operational specifics, citing the classified nature of the mission. Officials did not provide details about the number of personnel involved, the scope of military engagement, or whether the operations would include maritime patrols, intelligence operations, or coordinated ground activities. The lack of detail reflects the sensitive nature of counter-narcotics and counterterrorism missions, particularly when they involve foreign military cooperation.
The latest move follows Washington’s decision in September to designate two Ecuadorian criminal groups — Los Choneros and Los Lobos — as foreign terrorist organizations. The designation significantly expands the legal tools available to US authorities, enabling stronger sanctions, financial restrictions, and potential prosecution of individuals or entities that provide support to the groups. It also allows for more robust international collaboration under US counterterrorism frameworks.
The joint initiative is part of a broader US strategy aimed at curbing the flow of illicit drugs originating in Latin America. In recent months, the United States has carried out maritime interdictions and strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. These efforts are designed to disrupt trafficking routes before narcotics reach US shores or European markets.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa described the new cooperation as the beginning of a “new phase in the fight against narco-terrorism.” Speaking after high-level talks in Quito with SOUTHCOM leadership, Noboa signaled that his administration intends to escalate its crackdown on organized crime. His remarks came as Ecuador continues to grapple with escalating violence linked to drug trafficking and gang rivalries.
Noboa, who took office in 2023, has strengthened Ecuador’s security alignment with the United States. His administration has framed the battle against organized crime as a national security priority. Since assuming power, Noboa has implemented tougher security policies, expanded military involvement in domestic law enforcement operations, and sought closer intelligence cooperation with international partners.
According to a statement from the Ecuadorian presidency, discussions with SOUTHCOM included plans for enhanced intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and improved monitoring at airports and seaports. Ecuador’s ports, particularly those along the Pacific coast, have become major transit points for cocaine shipments. Strengthening oversight at these strategic hubs is viewed as essential to disrupting trafficking networks.
Ecuador occupies a critical geographic position between Colombia and Peru, the world’s two largest producers of cocaine. While Ecuador itself is not a primary producer, it has increasingly become a transit country for cocaine destined for the United States and Europe. Drug cartels exploit its ports and logistical infrastructure to smuggle large quantities of narcotics abroad.
The expansion of the drug trade has triggered a surge in violence within Ecuador. Rival gangs have engaged in deadly turf wars for control of smuggling routes, prisons, and distribution networks. The violence has included targeted assassinations, prison riots, bombings, and attacks on security forces, pushing Ecuador’s homicide rate sharply higher in recent years. The government has at times declared states of emergency to contain the unrest.
US officials argue that closer coordination with Ecuador will help weaken the operational capacity of trafficking groups and reduce the flow of narcotics across borders. By combining intelligence resources, surveillance capabilities, and operational planning, both governments aim to target supply chains at multiple stages — from production and transit to shipment and financial networks.
The collaboration also reflects a broader geopolitical alignment. Noboa is regarded as an ally of US President Donald Trump, and the strengthening of bilateral security ties underscores a shared focus on aggressive counter-narcotics policies. For Washington, supporting Ecuador’s security efforts fits into a wider regional strategy aimed at confronting organized crime and limiting the destabilizing effects of drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.
As the operations proceed, observers will be watching closely to assess their impact on Ecuador’s internal security situation and on regional drug trafficking flows. While authorities have not disclosed how long the joint mission will continue, both sides have signaled that their cooperation is intended to be sustained and strategically coordinated in the long term.