In Shorts
- U.S. military, in coordination with Ecuadorian forces, began joint operations to combat groups labelled as terrorist organisations in Ecuador.
- The action comes shortly after President Trump authorised large-scale military strikes against Iran in the Middle East.
- Officials describe the Ecuador operation as part of broader efforts against narco-terrorism and organised crime in the hemisphere.
WASHINGTON: The United States government has launched new military operations in Ecuador, expanding its overseas engagements just days after authorising a major campaign against Iran.
According to a statement from U.S. Southern Command, American and Ecuadorian troops commenced joint actions on March 3 to confront groups designated by Washington as “terrorist organisations,” with a focus on narco-terrorism and organised crime. The land operation reportedly represents the first time U.S. military forces have engaged in a ground fight against cartel-linked targets in the South American nation.
Senior U.S. military officials have said that Special Forces advisers are supporting Ecuadorian commandos around the country, offering intelligence and logistical aid rather than leading direct assaults themselves. Ecuador’s president has long sought increased security cooperation, although a proposal to host a permanent U.S. base was rejected by voters in 2025.
This new military action coincides with Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran announced by President Donald Trump at the end of February. That campaign has involved extensive strikes on Iranian targets and drawn global attention due to its scale and geopolitical repercussions.
Critics argue the timing of the Ecuador operation suggests a broadening of U.S. military involvement beyond the Middle East, with legal and strategic implications. Supporters maintain that confronting powerful drug trafficking and terrorist networks in the Western Hemisphere is vital to regional security and complements the administration’s broader defence agenda.
Pentagon statements describe the joint Ecuador mission as part of sustained regional efforts to dismantle transnational criminal organisations that fuel violence and corruption. As the situation develops, regional governments and international observers are watching closely to assess the impact of U.S. military actions on local stability and diplomatic relations.
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