The US military began conducting operations with Ecuador targeting “designated terrorist organizations” in the Latin American country, the Pentagon announced Tuesday, marking a new front in the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail drug trafficking. Los Lobos and Los Choneros, two of Ecuador’s main criminal organizations, were designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the US State Department last September. SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan in a statement praised Ecuador’s armed forces for their “unwavering commitment” and “courage and resolve” in the fight against drug-trafficking. Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Ministry of Defense said on social media Tuesday that a “new phase against narco-terrorism and illegal mining” had begun. According to the Ecuadorian presidency, the meeting addressed initiatives to strengthen controls, information sharing, and operational coordination at airports and ports.

Source: Egypt Independent March 04, 2026 09:03 UTC