The United States has launched a new military operation in Ecuador targeting what it calls “designated terrorist organizations,” part of Trump’s expanding international campaign after strikes on Iran and other countries.
U.S. Southern Command posted on X Tuesday: “On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador. The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.”
The post added: “Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere.” A video showed a helicopter taking off and picking up soldiers for the first joint mission with Ecuador.
On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador. The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.
Together,… pic.twitter.com/MrkKZcrDbs
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) March 4, 2026
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General Francis L. Donovan praised Ecuadorian forces: “We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.”
U.S. Special Forces are advising Ecuadorian commandos on raids at suspected drug shipment facilities, the New York Times reported. Officials say U.S. troops are not taking part in the raids directly. They provide planning, intelligence, and logistics. These raids are expected to continue across Ecuador.
This comes after U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The strikes have killed at least 151 people across 45 vessels since September.
Critics say the Trump administration has not proven the boats were smuggling drugs. Some legal experts warn the strikes may be illegal.
Trump’s administration has blown up 45 boats and killed 151 people “suspected” of smuggling drugs. No proof. No charges. No trial. Just death. And at #SOTU he joked that “nobody wants to fish” because they’re terrified. Not funny. Just brutal state violence. https://t.co/uPtHMVB3QO
— AI IS THE THREAT NOT THE SOLUTION! Andrew Stergiou (@demdemodems) February 25, 2026
US Government & Officials (@StateDept @WhiteHouse @POTUS @Southcom):
3 more humans burned alive yesterday in the Caribbean — you call them “suspected”.
151+ dead in your Operation Southern Spear.
No evidence. No trial. @hrw: these are unlawful executions.People of…
— Suri (@SURYAREDDYL) February 23, 2026
One strike used a plane painted to look civilian. Retired Maj. Gen. Steven Lepper told the New York Times: “Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy. If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity.”
Earlier this year, U.S. forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from Caracas. They were flown to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and weapons possession. Maduro called himself a “prisoner of war” and pleaded not guilty.
Ecuador is now the latest in a long list of countries hit by Trump’s foreign military operations. He calls himself the “Peace President” and promised “no new wars,” yet U.S. forces have struck Iran, Venezuela, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, and dozens of vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
