On 3 March 2026, U.S. and Ecuadorian forces began joint operations in Ecuador targeting designated terrorist organisations linked to drug trafficking. The start of the action was announced by U.S. Southern Command. The U.S. side said the operations were being conducted together with Ecuador’s armed forces.
The United States and Ecuador did not disclose details of the scope, conduct or outcomes of the action. Ecuador’s Ministry of Defence classified information about the operation as confidential. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa had previously announced a coordinated campaign against “narco-terrorism” and illegal mining with international partners, with a planned start in March.
Official statements said the aim of the action was to curb violence and criminal activity tied to drug trafficking in Ecuador. The U.S. side did not say whether the operations include kinetic strikes or whether there were any casualties. U.S. authorities had earlier designated Ecuadorian groups Los Choneros and Los Lobos as foreign terrorist organisations.