United States and Ecuador launch joint operations against narco-terrorists

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said U.S. and Ecuadorian forces launched joint operations targeting suspected narco-terrorists in Ecuador on Tuesday.

SOUTHCOM said it had taken “decisive action” against terrorist organizations, but it is not yet clear whether there have been any casualties.

“On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces initiated operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador,” SOUTHCOM wrote in X. “The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.”

SOUTHCOM added: “Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence and corruption on citizens across the hemisphere.”

SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan praised the Ecuadorian military for joining the United States in the operations.

“We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, showing courage and determination through ongoing actions against narco-terrorists in their country,” he said.

The United States “successfully completed a joint operation” with Europol and Ecuadorian officials to dismantle the Hernán Ruilova Barzola transnational drug trafficking organization, which it said was linked to the Los Lobos cartel, the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador said Tuesday.

The announcement follows a series of US strikes targeting suspected drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

US kills 11 in 3 attacks on alleged drug-smuggling boats

U.S. and Ecuadorian forces launched joint operations targeting suspected narco-terrorists in Ecuador on Tuesday, according to U.S. Southern Command. (US Southern Command)

Last week, US forces shot down a drug smuggling ship in the Caribbean suspected of having ties to terrorist organizations, killing three suspected smugglers.

This attack comes after SOUTHCOM said it had launched three attacks in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean last month, killing 11 people.

U.S. Southern Command announced Tuesday that it will take “decisive action” against terrorist organizations in Ecuador as part of ongoing counternarcotics efforts. (US Southern Command)

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Overall, the United States has launched at least 43 attacks on ships allegedly smuggling drugs, killing 150 people in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

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