Ecuador Deepens Drug Cartel Crackdown Partnership with U.S.

Ecuador is working alongside U.S. forces in an expanded effort to crack down on drug cartels and combat narcoterrorism, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury stated. The increased cooperation includes joint operations on the ground and intelligence sharing aimed at dismantling transnational criminal networks.

Kury told Fox News Digital that this collaboration has yielded "a lot of positive results" in recent months, with joint efforts leading to the discovery of significant drug shipments. "There is an intelligence and cooperation from the United States, but there is also always the presence of Ecuadorian military or police. They work together," he said.

For Ecuador, the stakes are particularly high, as approximately 70% of the world's cocaine passes through its ports. These illicit shipments originate from neighboring Colombia and Peru and are destined for markets in the United States. "Most of the drugs go to the United States. So that’s why the United States shares the problem," Kury noted.

The partnership signifies a key aspect of the U.S. foreign policy focus on leveraging American military power in the Western Hemisphere. Ecuador, once considered one of Latin America's more secure nations, now finds itself on the front lines of the regional cartel conflict. This surge in violence prompted Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to declare an "internal armed conflict" and deploy the military against criminal groups.

While Kury confirmed that U.S. forces participate directly in operations with local authorities, he emphasized that Ecuador's sovereignty remains paramount. He stated that while Quito welcomes U.S. involvement, it must align with Ecuadorian military and police efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Ecuador as the U.S.'s most "aggressive" partner in the region's drug interdiction efforts. He noted that "elite forces" from both countries are working together on an unprecedented daily basis to dismantle criminal organizations.

President Noboa has indicated that Ecuador actively seeks U.S. assistance, estimating the annual drug trade at approximately $30 billion. "Our countries in Latin America have the problem that we need support," Kury said, calling for not only financial aid but also intelligence and technical cooperation. He pointed to the U.S.-led "Shield of the Americas" initiative as a model for regional collaboration.

Beyond security cooperation, Ecuador has also agreed to accept third-country nationals deported from the U.S. Kury clarified that these individuals stay in Ecuador only temporarily before being deported to their home countries, describing it as a cooperative measure that supports mutual interests.

Ecuador also seeks to leverage the relationship for increased U.S. investment and trade. "The United States is the main trade partner of Ecuador," Kury stated, identifying opportunities in mining, oil and gas, energy, tourism, and agriculture. The U.S. is Ecuador's largest trading partner, with U.S. exports to the country totaling $7.7 billion in 2024, representing 28% of Ecuador's imports. While Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, it does not have a free trade agreement with Washington.