Cooperation with Ecuador and Colombia is part of a wider U.S. military buildup in South America. Inside that buildup, MQ-9 Reaper drones are being pulled from Africa and reassigned to the command responsible for the region. Counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations are planned.
"On Sept. 16, under the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the ...
U.S. Southern Command:
"On Sept. 16, under the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific.
Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere."
Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia will receive $52 million in U.S. military aid pulled from Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq under a Trump administration shift.
Counter narcotics work, security for the Panama Canal, and blocking strategic rivals in the Western Hemisphere are the stated purposes, per the State Department.
"On Sept. 5, at the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a multi-vessel floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operat...
U.S. Southern Command:
"On Sept. 5, at the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a multi-vessel floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific.
Intelligence confirmed the vessels were operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the main vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once the main vessel was cleared and the crew disembarked, U.S. forces sank it and the attached support vessels. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere."
"On Sep. 3, at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicte...
U.S. Southern Command:
"On Sep. 3, at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.
Littoral Combat Force 24 launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel will be safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel.
This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. The Department of War and the A3C remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend our homeland."
"On Sep. 3, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdict...
U.S. Southern Command:
"On Sep. 3, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.
Littoral Combat Force 24 launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel will be safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel.
This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. The Department of War and the A3C remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend our homeland."
The head of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center, Michele Sensi-Contugi, was killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya, according to the Ecuadorian government. His wife also died in the crash near Mount Ololokwe on August 19.
Guatemala will let U.S. forces carry out strikes against cartel targets within its borders, following Ecuador's lead. Honduras may join next, according to the New York Times.
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