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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [INTERNATIONAL]

2 clusters · 9 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

United States military presence in Ecuador

Overview

The United States has expanded its military operations at the Taura military base in Ecuador near Guayaquil. These activities, part of the ‘Shield of the Americas’ security alliance, aim to combat drug trafficking in the Pacific.

Flight tracking data and satellite imagery indicate significant activity involving various aircraft, including C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, V-22 Osprey, and Black Hawk helicopters. The base has undergone physical expansion, including runway vegetation clearing and the installation of numerous tents. Flight logs show connections between Taura and U.S. facilities in North Carolina and Delaware, with intermediate stops in Panama and Puerto Rico.

The presence of foreign troops has prompted legal scrutiny within Ecuador, particularly as voters recently rejected the presence of foreign military bases. Former Air Force commander Mauricio Salazar reportedly requested clarification on the legal framework for hosting foreign military personnel. Following this inquiry, Salazar was removed from his position and reassigned to a lower rank.

Entities

Mauricio Salazar · Ecuador · United States · Taura Air Base · Daniel Noboa

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    United States expands military presence at Taura Air Base in Ecuador

    The U.S. is increasing its military footprint at Ecuador's Taura Air Base to lead Pacific anti-drug operations, sparking legal concerns regarding the presence of foreign troops.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
    United States military aircraft detected at Ecuador's Taura base

    U.S. military aircraft and expansion efforts have been detected at Ecuador's Taura base, part of a joint anti-drugflow initiative that has sparked domestic legal concerns.

Sources

5septiembre.cu · actualidad.rt.com · dominicanaaldia.com · elsolnewsmedia.com · extra.ec · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · larepublica.ec · nuevolaredo.tv · prensa-latina.cu