United States expands military presence at Taura Air Base in Ecuador

The United States is utilizing the Taura Air Base in Ecuador to direct its anti-drug offensive in the Pacific. According to flight records, satellite imagery, and military documents, the base has seen an unusual deployment of resources, including significant construction near the runway and the installation of numerous tents.

Flight logs indicate repeated landings and takeoffs of U.S. military aircraft, such as C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, V-22 Osprey, and Black Hawk helicopters. These flights connect Taura with U.S. facilities in North Carolina and Delaware, with stops in Puerto Rico and Panama.

This expansion has raised questions regarding its legality, as it occurs less than a year after Ecuadorian voters rejected the presence of foreign military bases. The former commander of the Air Force, Mauricio Salazar, reportedly requested clarification on the legal framework for hosting foreign troops before being removed from his position and reassigned to a lower rank.