"SOUTHCOM's commander, Marine Gen. Francis Donovan, met in Quito with senior Ecuadorian officials including President Daniel Noboa on Sunday and Monday "to discuss security cooperation" and reaffirm the U.S. "commitment to supporting the nation's efforts to confront narco-terrorism and strengthen regional security.""
"The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador earlier on Tuesday shared on X images that it said were the result of a successful joint operation between the United States, the European Union's Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and Ecuadorian authorities that dismantled the transnational drug trafficking organization Hernán Ruilova Barzola, linked to the Los Lobos cartel."
"The Drug Enforcement Agency said on X "16 suspects were arrested, and 6 tons of cocaine were seized in Europe" during this operation that involved the DEA's Europe division."
The Trump administration has prioritized targeting drug trafficking, with the U.S. military conducting more than 40 deadly strikes in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean over six months. SOUTHCOM's commander met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to discuss security cooperation and support for confronting narco-terrorism. Ecuador announced plans for joint operations with regional allies, including the United States, beginning in March as part of a new phase against drug terrorism and illegal mining. A successful joint operation involving the U.S., Europol, and Ecuadorian authorities dismantled a transnational drug trafficking organization linked to the Los Lobos cartel, resulting in 16 arrests and the seizure of 6 tons of cocaine in Europe.
#drug-trafficking #military-operations #ecuador-security #narco-terrorism #international-cooperation
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