Joint US–Ecuador Operation Targets Suspected Narco-Terror Network

RunWithRugs · 2026-03-10T01:26:21+00:00

The U.S. military conducted a precision strike in Ecuador against a narco-terrorist network, requested by Ecuadorian authorities. This operation reflects collaboration to combat narco-terrorism in the region and may lead to further actions.

RunWithRugs

2026-03-10 01:26:21

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(MENAFN) The military of the United States carried out a precision strike on Friday against a suspected narco-terrorist network operating in Ecuador, according to reports citing officials from United States Southern Command.

Information shared in a statement on the social platform X indicated that the operation took place at the request of Ecuadorian authorities and involved what officials described as “lethal kinetic operations” targeting groups identified as designated terrorist organizations inside the country.

“#SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan directed the joint force to support Ecuadorian forces conducting lethal kinetic operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations within Ecuador,” it said.

The commander, Francis L. Donovan, described the action as an example of coordination between the two nations in addressing narco-terrorism throughout the region.

“I congratulate our joint forces and the Ecuadorian armed forces for the successful operation against narco-terrorists in Ecuador,” Donovan said in a statement. “This collaborative and decisive action is a strategic success for all nations in the Western Hemisphere committed to disrupting and defeating narco-terrorism.”

A spokesperson for the United States Department of Defense, Sean Parnell, said the strike was aimed at dismantling what he referred to as a narco-terrorist supply complex linked to criminal networks.

“The War Department is uniting partners across the Western Hemisphere to detect, disrupt and destroy designated terrorist organizations that fuel violence and corruption,” said Parnell.

Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth posted footage of the strike on X and thanked Ecuador for cooperating in the mission, suggesting that additional operations could be conducted in the future.

Officials did not immediately confirm whether the strike caused casualties.

According to reports, the administration of Donald Trump has stepped up military deployments and operations across the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean since September as part of a broader campaign against narcotics trafficking. Reports say at least 148 people have been killed since the beginning of these operations.

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