Quito: The United States and Ecuador have announced a successful joint operation targeting a drug cartel training camp in Ecuador. The operation, conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense and Ecuadorian forces, was described as a forceful, destructive action against organized crime in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation, named "Operation Eradication" by Ecuador, was carried out using helicopters, aircraft, riverboats, and drones. The joint forces targeted a camp in northeastern Ecuador, near the Colombian border, which was operated by "Comandos de la Frontera" (CDF), a criminal group originating from Colombia. The camp had the capacity to house up to 50 personnel and was associated with the FARC rebel faction.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Novoa has prioritized military action against organized crime, making it a central policy of his administration. This operation comes in the wake of previous tensions with Colombia, where Ecuador had imposed tariffs citing Colombia's insufficient efforts in combating drug trafficking.
Further affirming the collaboration, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense emphasized the importance of the United States as an ally in combating drug trafficking networks. A spokesperson from the US Department of Defense also confirmed through the social media platform "X" that the targeted strikes were conducted at the request of Ecuador, underlining the shared commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks. This operation marks a continuation of the US and Ecuador's coordinated efforts, following announcements made earlier in the week.
President Novoa is set to travel to Miami to participate in the "Shield of the Americas" summit, hosted by the Trump administration. The summit will gather right-wing regional leaders to discuss transnational crime and security issues, further highlighting the international dimensions of Ecuador's fight against organized crime.