US military operation launched in Ecuador by Trump administration

US Announces Collaboration with Ecuador to Combat “Terrorists”

The United States government has announced a joint operation with Ecuador to combat “terrorists” in the South American country. According to US Southern Command, military forces from both countries launched operations on March 3 against designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador.

The operation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to combat criminal networks and drug cartels in Latin America. The scope of the Ecuadorian operation is not yet known, but it appears to be limited to supporting Ecuadorian troops through logistics and intelligence.

A White House press secretary praised the joint operation, stating that “decisive action” was being taken against narco-terrorists who have inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere. The US has previously labeled multiple prominent cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” a move that has been criticized by some.

The Trump administration has also launched military actions in other countries, including Venezuela, where a strike was carried out in late December and another on January 3. These operations were justified as law enforcement actions against drug traffickers, but have been condemned as violations of international law.

The US Southern Command has announced that the joint operation with Ecuador is part of a broader commitment to combat narco-terrorism in Latin America. The operation is being led by General Francis Donovan, who visited Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and his defense ministers on March 2.

The announcement comes amid criticism of the Trump administration’s approach to combating drug trafficking, which some argue is overly militaristic and violates international law.

Source: Al Jazeera