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Ecuador and United States launch joint military operations against drug trafficking
The governments of Ecuador and the United States have intensified joint military operations to combat narcoterrorism and drug trafficking in northern Ecuador, specifically near the Colombian border.
Juan Jaramillo, the Governor of Esmeraldas, confirmed the presence of U.S. military personnel, including members of the 7th Army group, working alongside local authorities in areas such as San Lorenzo, Río Verde, and Eloy Alfaro. These operations are being conducted under high secrecy as part of the Shield of the Americas, a multi-nation anti-drug coalition.
To bolster maritime and coastal control, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo announced the arrival of two U.S. warships, interceptor boats, and three Black Hawk helicopters. These assets are being deployed to key locations like Manta to intercept drug shipments destined for the United States and Europe. This military surge follows a period of extreme violence in Ecuador, which recorded a record homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 inhabitants last year.
Entities
Daniel Noboa · Ecuador · Gian Carlo Loffredo · Gian Carlo Lofrredo · Juan Charamillo · Juan Jaramillo · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The US 7th Army group is participating in the joint operations. athina984.gr · www.capital.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Ecuadorian government and the United States are conducting joint operations to combat narcoterrorism. colmundoradio.com.co · athina984.gr · www.capital.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ecuadorian maritime interdiction capabilities will increase threefold due to the arrival of US assets. colmundoradio.com.co · athina984.gr · www.capital.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Two US warships and three Black Hawk helicopters have arrived to support operations in Manta. colmundoradio.com.co · athina984.gr · www.capital.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Ecuador recorded a homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 inhabitants last year. colmundoradio.com.co · athina984.gr · www.capital.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The operations are part of the Shield of the Americas anti-drug coalition. colmundoradio.com.co · athina984.gr · www.capital.gr · www.newsbeast.gr