GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ecuador on Friday deployed 10,000 soldiers in three coastal provinces to fight drug-trafficking gangs blamed for a surge in violence in the once-peaceful country. President Daniel Noboa's government has vowed an iron-fist approach as the South American nation hits record levels of murders and other violent crimes. Hundreds of special forces soldiers were deployed Friday to "reinforce security operations" in the provinces of Guayas, Manabi and Los Rios, Air Force General Mario Bedoya told reporters. Ecuador is located between the world's two top exporters of cocaine -- Colombia and Peru -- and has seen a surge in violence by gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels. Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo has instructed the military high command to operate indefinitely out of the port city of Guayaquil, where troops are inspecting seaports strategic for drug trafficking.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 17, 2026 03:42 UTC