During a visit to Quito, Ecuador, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a $45 million security funding package for Ecuador as part of the US's cooperation with the Ecuadorian government. Rubio described Ecuador as the US's 'most involved and aggressive partner' in the regional anti-narcotics campaign. The funding will support efforts to dismantle criminal networks and bring justice to those involved in drug trafficking. In addition to the funding, the US will launch a $10 million initiative aimed at addressing illegal gold mining, gang recruitment, and drug trafficking. The US will also provide a coast guard cutter and five interceptor vessels to enhance the capabilities of Ecuador's navy, building on seven vessels delivered earlier this year.
Rubio's visit is part of a larger three-day trip to South America, which has included stops in Colombia and will continue in Peru. Security has been a key focus of his trip, as the US seeks to increase its influence in the Western Hemisphere and combat crime through military actions. The Trump administration has designated several Latin American criminal organizations as 'foreign terrorist organizations.'
During his visit, Rubio designated the Ecuador-based drug trafficking group Los Tiguerones as a 'foreign terrorist organization,' citing their involvement in narcotics trafficking and violent incidents.
Ecuador has experienced a rise in crime since the COVID-19 pandemic, with drug-trafficking organizations increasingly using its Pacific ports. President Daniel Noboa has responded by deploying military and police forces to affected areas and has labeled the conflict with drug traffickers as a 'state of war.' This approach aligns with the Trump administration's security policies, fostering closer relations between the two countries.
The US has been involved in joint military operations with Ecuador and has been intercepting vessels linked to drug trafficking. However, both nations have faced accusations of human rights violations in their anti-narcotics efforts. Rubio defended the US's military actions, stating that the goal is to target drug traffickers, not innocent fishermen.