U.S. Expands Military Footprint 'to Combat Narco-terrorists' in Latin America With Air Force Deployment in Ecuador

The United States confirmed on Wednesday the temporary deployment of Air Force personnel to the Ecuadorian coastal city of Manta as part of a joint operation with Ecuador's military aimed at combating what Washington describes as narco-terrorism in the region.

The move marks the return of U.S. military personnel to a base that served as a key anti-drug hub until 2009 and comes just weeks after Ecuadorian voters rejected a proposal to allow foreign military bases on the country's soil. In a national referendum held in mid-November, more than 60% voted against lifting the 2008 constitutional ban, dealing a setback to President Daniel Noboa's security agenda.

Authorities in Quito have repeatedly insisted that the operation does not involve the installation of a permanent foreign base and is consistent with the outcome of the referendum, which they argue restricts long-term basing rather than temporary cooperation under existing agreements, as Infobae reports.

The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador said the contingent is already operating from the Manta air base in Manabí province and stressed that the mission is limited in duration and does not violate Ecuadorian law. "This short-term joint effort is part of our bilateral security strategy, in line with agreements currently in force under Ecuadorian law," the embassy said in a statement posted on X.

U.S. officials said the operation is intended to strengthen Ecuador's armed forces in confronting what they describe as narco-terrorism, adding that it seeks to "protect the United States and Ecuador from the threats we share."

President Noboa publicly endorsed the deployment, saying it would help "identify and dismantle drug trafficking routes" and confront criminal groups operating in the country. Ecuador's Defense Ministry confirmed that U.S. military equipment had arrived at the base days before the announcement but said operational details would remain confidential, emphasizing that the mission is focused on intelligence sharing and capacity building.

Manta's location has long made it strategically important for maritime surveillance. It is one of Ecuador's main ports and the closest point on the mainland to the Galápagos Islands, a region central to drug trafficking routes as well as efforts against illegal fishing and human smuggling.

The return of U.S. forces comes as Ecuador faces a sharp deterioration in internal security. Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" in January 2024 and designated major criminal groups as terrorist organizations.

The deployment also aligns with Washington's broader push to expand military cooperation in Latin America, including agreements with Peru and Paraguay. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that "the most serious problem we have in our hemisphere is these transnational terrorist organizations," which he argues operate primarily for economic gain.