US-Ecuador joint operation targets drug trafficking in Ecuador

U.S. Southern Command said on Tuesday that Ecuadorian and U.S. forces launched joint operations in Ecuador to combat illicit drug trafficking; Ecuador’s Defense Ministry confirmed collaboration with the U.S. in an offensive operation and said details were classified. President Daniel Noboa had signaled plans for joint actions with the U.S. and allies in March as part of a broader push against narco-terrorism and illegal mining, and the piece notes a new U.S.-led intel task force on drug cartels shaping the effort. It also references a recent Mexican raid targeting cartel leader El Mencho and notes that officials provided few specifics about the Ecuador operation.