The U.S. military launched a joint operation in Ecuador against “Designated Terrorist Organizations” on Tuesday, even as the war with Iran continues.
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“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,” said U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.
According to SOUTHCOM’s statement, U.S. forces joined Ecuador to launch operations against foreign terrorist organizations engaged in narco-terrorism.
While SOUTHCOM provided scant details, the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador provided additional information, specifying that the target was Hernán Ruilova Barzola, a drug trafficking organization linked to the Los Lobos Cartel.
President Trump designated the Los Lobos Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization in September 2020.
The embassy claimed that the operation successfully dismantled the trafficking organization linked to the cartel and led to the detention of 16 suspects, including a high-value target.
The operation also led to the seizure of a significant amount of cocaine and cash, as well as the dismantling of a money laundering and corruption scheme.
“This complex operation is another important milestone in disrupting the operations and finances of narcoterrorists, directly contributing to the security of the United States. These concrete results strengthen international cooperation for the benefit of the American people, with a global impact,” said the embassy.
Ecuador’s Ministry of Defense issued its own statement, saying that it is launching operations against narcoterrorism and “illegal mining” in collaboration with “strategic allies.”
President Trump has taken military action against suspected drug cartels by ordering strikes against suspected cartel boats. Ground operations in Ecuador would mark the second ground operation in South America during his second term, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The new operation comes as the U.S. continues an ongoing campaign against Iran that has already left its longtime Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, dead.
