US military strikes narco-terrorists in Ecuador operation on Friday
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The US military conducted a targeted strike against a narco-terrorist network in Ecuador on Friday, US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said.
SOUTHCOM said the joint US-Ecuador operation involved lethal kinetic action against organizations suspected of being designated as terrorist organizations in the country.
SOUTHCOM said in
Donovan said in a statement that the United States was “moving forward with our partners in the fight against narco-terrorism.”
The Pentagon said US forces took targeted action at Ecuador’s request to dismantle its narco-terrorist supply complex. (Sean Parnell via X)
“I congratulate our partner forces and the Ecuadorian armed forces for the successful operation against narco-terrorists in Ecuador,” he said. “This collaborative and decisive action is a strategic success for all nations in the Western Hemisphere committed to disrupting and defeating narco-terrorism.”
It is not yet clear whether there was any loss of life during the operation.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a video of the attack on
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U.S. Southern Command Gen. Francis Donovan, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller pose for a portrait before hosting the opening of the Inter-American Countercartel Conference with regional defense and security leaders at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida, on March 5, 2026. (Maria Alejandra Cardona/Reuters)
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that the War Department “convenes partners across the Western Hemisphere to identify, disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations that incite violence and corruption.”
Parnell said Ecuador has requested the War Department take targeted action “to further our common goal of dismantling narco-terrorist networks.”
“This operation demonstrates the power of coordinated action and sends a clear message: Narco-terrorist networks will not find refuge in our hemisphere,” he said.
While crews search for lone survivor, US FORCES ARE ATTACKING THE SHIP ALLEGEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE NARCO-TERRORISM GROUP 2 KILLED.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth arrives at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, for a press conference on June 22, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Parnell added that the United States “remains committed to supporting countries that stand against narco terrorism.”
“Together we will dismantle trafficking and corruption networks, hold these organizations accountable, and restore peace through the use of force,” he said.
Parnell said the operation targeted a narco-terrorist supply complex and “disrupted its operations and logistics.”
He praised the Ecuadorian government and the country’s defense and security forces for their partnership in the operation.
The attack follows joint operations launched earlier this week by U.S. and Ecuadorian forces targeting suspected narco-terrorists in Ecuador, according to U.S. Southern Command.
SOUTHCOM said it had taken “decisive action” against identified terrorist organizations.
Earlier this week, the US Embassy in Ecuador said the US had “successfully completed a joint operation” with Europol and Ecuadorian authorities to dismantle the Hernán Ruilova Barzola transnational drug trafficking organization, which it said was linked to the Los Lobos cartel.
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The United States has launched at least 43 attacks targeting suspected drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in 150 deaths.
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