U.S. and Ecuadorian forces launched joint military operations targeting suspected narco-terrorist groups in Ecuador, U.S. Southern Command said March 3.
In recent years, Ecuador has seen a sharp rise in cartel-related violence as transnational criminal groups expanded drug-trafficking routes through the country.
In a statement posted on X, the command said personnel targeted what it called “Designated Terrorist Organizations.”
“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 command said.According to the U.S. Southern Command, the operation reflects regional partners’ effort to confront criminal networks tied to drug trafficking and violence.
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.
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) March 4, 2026
Together,… pic.twitter.com/MrkKZcrDbs
In a March 3 press release, U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan praised Ecuador’s armed forces for their role in the operation.
“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 said.
The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador also said in a March 3 X post that authorities recently dismantled a transnational drug-trafficking network linked to the Los Lobos cartel. The joint operation involved Ecuadorian authorities, the U.S., and Europol.
Officials said the effort led to the arrest of 16 suspects, including a “high-value target” and the seizure of cocaine and cash. It was not immediately clear whether the operation was connected to the actions announced by U.S. Southern Command.
Los Estados Unidos concluyó con éxito una operación conjunta con Europol (Agencia de la Unión Europea para la Cooperación Policial) y autoridades ecuatorianas que desmanteló la organización transnacional de narcotráfico Hernán Ruilova Barzola, vinculada al cártel de Los Lobos.… pic.twitter.com/UWlMQlqlng
— US Embassy Ecuador (@USembassyEC) March 3, 2026
The operations follow recent U.S. actions targeting suspected drug-smuggling operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. U.S. Southern Command said it carried out several strikes in those regions in recent weeks against vessels suspected of transporting narcotics.
Late on Feb. 16, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/mib9XtptSB
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 17, 2026
On Feb. 20, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/PzWQFfNgHm
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 21, 2026