U.S. and Ecuador Conduct Joint Operations Against Narco-Terror Groups

By Ginika Igboke

The United States Southern Command announced on March 3 that U.S. and Ecuadorian military forces carried out joint operations targeting designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador, as the Trump administration continues efforts to combat narco-terrorism in the region.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, praised Ecuador’s armed forces in a post on X.

“We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country,” Donovan wrote.

No additional operational details were disclosed.

High-Level Meetings in Quito

The announcement followed Donovan’s two-day visit to Ecuador, which began March 1. During the trip, he met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and senior defense officials on March 2 in Quito.

According to a March 3 statement, discussions focused on security cooperation and U.S. support for Ecuador’s campaign against narco-terrorism.

“Ecuador is one of the United States’ strongest partners in disrupting and dismantling Designated Terrorist Organizations in the region,” Donovan said. “The Ecuadorian people have witnessed firsthand the terror, violence, and corruption that these narco-terrorists inflict on communities across the region.”

On March 2, Noboa announced a new phase in Ecuador’s fight against narcoterrorism and illegal mining.

“In the month of March, we will conduct joint operations with our regional allies, including the United States,” Noboa posted on X. “The security of Ecuadorians is our priority, and we will fight to achieve peace in every corner of the country.”

Broader U.S. Involvement in the Region

The joint operations come amid expanded U.S. activity in Latin America, including the January capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

In September 2025, the Trump administration designated two Ecuadorian criminal groups—Los Choneros and Los Lobos—as foreign terrorist organizations.

The United States Department of State said at the time that the groups had attacked and threatened public officials, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists in Ecuador.

On Feb. 2, the United States Coast Guard detained three suspected narco-terrorists northwest of Ecuador during Operation Pacific Viper, an ongoing campaign launched in August 2025 to disrupt drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean.

In March 2025, Noboa called for U.S. special forces, with assistance from Brazil and European partners, to help dismantle international narco-terrorist organizations that have grown to thousands of armed members.

“We need to have more soldiers to fight this war,” Noboa told BBC at the time. “Seventy percent of the world’s cocaine exits via Ecuador. We need the help of international forces.”