U.S. Green Berets conducting operations in Ecuador

Ecuadorian officials have confirmed that U.S. Army Green Berets from the 7th Special Forces Group are conducting direct operations against drug cartels within Ecuador. The activities are reportedly concentrated in the Esmeraldas province, a strategic region near the Colombian border that faces significant violence linked to narcotics trafficking.

Esmeraldas Provincial Governor Juan Jaramillo stated that the U.S. forces are working alongside Ecuadorian troops in the fight against narcoterrorism. This operational cooperation follows a period of joint training and coincides with increased U.S. naval presence in the region. Ecuadorian Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo noted that two U.S. warships are operating in the area, with vessels such as the USS San Antonio and the USS Gridley moving into the Pacific.

These actions are part of Operation Southern Spear and the Shield of the Americas coalition, an initiative aimed at combating cartels across Latin and South America. While U.S. Southern Command described the raids as a commitment to fighting narco-terrorism, some reports have raised questions regarding the specific targets of recent military strikes.