politics
US military launches anti-drug trafficking operation in Ecuador
The US military began conducting operations with Ecuador targeting “designated terrorist organizations” in the Latin American country, the Pentagon announced Tuesday, marking a new front in the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail drug trafficking.
TL;DR
- US military operations have begun in Ecuador targeting "designated terrorist organizations."
- The operations are a new front in the Trump administration's efforts to curtail drug trafficking.
- US Southern Command stated the actions demonstrate a commitment to combatting "narco-terrorism."
- Los Lobos and Los Choneros, major criminal organizations in Ecuador, were previously designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the US.
- Ecuador's Ministry of Defense announced a "new phase against narco-terrorism and illegal mining."
- The operations were coordinated following a meeting between Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.