The United States and Ecuador conducted joint military operations against “designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador,” U.S. Southern Command announced on Tuesday.
This marks the first time that the U.S. military has engaged in a land operation against South American drug cartels.
Until now, the U.S. military had only carried out airstrikes targeting smuggling boats in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean.
“The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism,” U.S. Southern Command wrote in a post on X.
No details were provided by SOUTHCOM about the operation.
In announcing the joint operation, U.S. Southern Command also released a video, which appears to show the joint operation, though no context was provided.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
