Ecuador’s drug-trafficking syndicate with prison links, active across the Americas
The Trump administration has extended counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, coordinating joint air, sea, and land actions with allies. Reports indicate Ecuador and other regional partners are joining ground operations, while critics warn of civilian harm and sovereignty concerns. The campaign has killed hundreds in boat strikes and faces legal and diplomatic scrutiny.
The US-SOUTHCOM operation has interdicted and sunk a floating refueling vessel linked to the Los Choneros criminal network. Crew members were removed and handed to Ecuadorian authorities as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt narco-trafficking networks in the Eastern Pacific.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has completed a three‑country tour of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to expand military and counter‑drug cooperation with right‑wing governments. Washington has pledged funding, vessels and designations of gangs as foreign terrorist organisations while US forces have intercepted and sunk vessels linked to Ecuadorian criminal groups.
Marco Rubio has toured Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to push for closer US security and trade ties amid a regional rightward shift. Washington designates criminal rings as foreign terrorist organizations and pledges new funding, ships and cooperation to back partner governments.
The United States is stepping up a regional push against major drug-trafficking groups, designating several Latin American gangs as foreign terrorist organisations and expanding military-security cooperation. The move comes during a high-profile visit by the US secretary of state to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and signals intensified pressure on groups with narcotics that reach across borders.
Geovany Andres Rojas, known as “the Spider,” is facing drug trafficking and terrorism charges in the United States after Colombia lifted a prior ban on his extradition. President Abelardo de la Espriella has tightened security measures and ended peace-talks with breakaway factions of FARC, signaling a tougher approach to narco-crime and armed groups.