WASHINGTON, United States, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US military command responsible for strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific confirmed on Tuesday it had started joint operations with Ecuador to combat drug trafficking. US Southern Command (SOUTCHOM) said both countries had launched operations against "designated terrorist organizations" in Ecuador. On Monday, Noboa held talks in Quito with US Southern Command chief Francis Donovan and Mark Schafer, head of US Special Operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. The United States and Ecuador have boosted their security cooperation since the right-wing Noboa came to power in 2023. In December, the United States announced a temporary deployment of Air Force personnel to the former US base in the port city of Manta.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 04, 2026 06:30 UTC