U.S. forces have joined Ecuadorian troops in a military operation to combat narco-terrorism in the South American country, officials confirmed Tuesday.
“The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism,” the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) wrote on X. “Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere.”
On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador. The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.
Together,… pic.twitter.com/MrkKZcrDbs
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) March 4, 2026
A U.S. official told The New York Times that U.S. forces are supporting Ecuadorian commandos with intelligence and logistical assistance, though they are not believed to be on the ground during raids.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, described the initiative as a “new phase” in the country’s fight against organized crime.
Ecuador serves as a major transit hub for cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru, with approximately 70% of the drugs from these two countries passing through its territory. The surge in trafficking has fueled violent turf wars, transforming Ecuador from one of Latin America’s safest countries into one of its most dangerous in recent years.
Earlier this week, Noboa met in Quito with Gen. Donovan and Mark Schafer, head of U.S. special operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, to discuss coordination and intelligence-sharing at airports and seaports.
Since Noboa assumed the presidency in 2023, the U.S. and Ecuador have significantly strengthened their security cooperation. Last year, Noboa proposed reopening a previously closed U.S. military base, but Ecuadorians rejected the plan in a November referendum that upheld the ban on foreign bases.
In December, however, the U.S. deployed Air Force personnel temporarily to the former U.S. base in the port city of Manta for a regional counter-narcotics mission, part of Washington’s broader campaign to curb Latin American drug trafficking. The deployment marks the first U.S. military presence in Manta since 2009.
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Partnership in Action: U.S. Special Forces, advising and assisting the 4th Division of the Ecuadorian Army, have supported our partners’ recent success in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. On December 3rd, 2025, our combined efforts led to the seizure of 1.4 tons of cocaine, valued at… pic.twitter.com/vBSX6PDMfJ
— SOCSOUTH (@SOCSOUTH) December 12, 2025
