US and Ecuadorian forces conducted a joint strike to destroy a major drug-trafficking training camp in northeast Ecuador near the border with Colombia on March 6, 2026.
The operation, which the Ecuadorian government dubbed “Total Extermination,” marks a significant escalation in regional anti-cartel efforts.
The strike targeted a facility in Sucumbíos province, a region known for illegal mining and drug transit. The camp belonged to Comandos de la Frontera, a criminal group composed of FARC dissidents, and had a capacity for approximately 50 people.
The joint mission utilized helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, river boats and drones to locate and neutralize the site.
US Southern Command provided intelligence and direct support for what the Pentagon described as “lethal kinetic operations.”
US forces advise as Ecuadorian units conduct raids
Public reporting indicates US Special Forces and other personnel are advising and supporting Ecuadorian units mainly through intelligence, planning and logistical support, while Ecuadorian forces conduct raids on suspected drug-shipment sites and cartel-linked facilities.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa framed the operations as a “new phase” in the fight against drug cartels and narco-terrorism that have driven a surge in violence and turned the country into a key corridor for cocaine exports.
The primary targets named were Los Lobos and Los Choneros, which were both recently designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the US, and Comandos de la Frontera, a Colombian dissident group operating near the border.
Mixed reactions and diplomatic tensions
A security alert was issued by the US Embassy in Quito on March 5, 2026, outlining new safety measures for American citizens in Ecuador amid rising risks of crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
The US Department of War described the strikes as a “strategic success.” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the US is “bombing narco-terrorists on land” to dismantle supply complexes.
President Daniel Noboa’s administration dubbed the campaign Operation “Total Extermination.” Officials stated the country has entered its “most decisive and forceful phase” against crime.
Despite the government’s stance, many Ecuadorians recall that voters rejected a referendum in November 2025 that would have allowed permanent foreign military bases. Critics in the National Assembly argue these “temporary” operations bypass that democratic decision.
A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General expressed deep alarm over the escalation of US military action in the region, citing “worrying implications.”
While the target was a Colombian dissident camp, the proximity to the border has raised concerns about “unilateral military actions.”
On March 4, the Noboa government announced its intention to sever diplomatic ties with Havana and eject the Cuban ambassador, accusing the country of interference.
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