Ecuadorean and US forces have initiated joint operations to combat drug trafficking within Ecuador, as announced by the US military's Southern Command. This collaboration follows President Daniel Noboa's statement that the US was among "regional allies" participating in a new phase of Ecuador's anti-cartel efforts. Ecuador has become a significant transit point for cocaine, with approximately 70% of the world's supply passing through its ports, primarily due to its location between Colombia and Peru, the two largest cocaine producers.
The joint efforts have already yielded significant results. The US embassy in Quito confirmed the dismantling of a major drug-trafficking network associated with the Los Lobos gang, leading to the arrest of 16 suspects, including a "high-value target." Europol was also involved, with over 100 law enforcement officers from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ecuador participating in the operation. Investigations, which began in January, led to the seizure of 3.7 tonnes of cocaine in the Netherlands, more than 3 tonnes in Belgium, and over half a tonne in Ecuador, along with $810,000 in cash.
The drugs were concealed in fruit containers destined for Europe. Europol's findings indicate that Ecuadorean smugglers from the Los Lobos gang were collaborating with an Albanian trafficking organization to ensure rapid distribution of cocaine shipments upon their arrival in European ports. The US Southern Command has expressed its commitment to supporting partners in the Western Hemisphere in confronting "narco-terrorists" who inflict violence and corruption.
These operations are part of a broader push, with the US military having conducted at least 44 strikes since September 2, 2025, against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, resulting in an estimated 150 "narco-terrorist" deaths. While specific details regarding the scope and locations of the current joint operations in Ecuador remain undisclosed, the move underscores a heightened focus on combating drug trafficking in the region.
President Noboa also held discussions with US Southern Command chief Francis Donovan and Mark Schafer, head of US special operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, to plan for enhanced information sharing and operational coordination at airports and seaports.
