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Ecuadorean and U.S. forces have launched operations against what they said were designated terrorist organizations in the South American country.
“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, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere,” the US military's Southern Command said in a statement.
The announcement comes a day after Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa said the US was among "regional allies" taking part in a "new phase" of Ecuador's war on the drug cartels, the BBC reported.
Noboa says around 70% of the world's cocaine now flows through Ecuador's huge ports, making it a lucrative location for drug-trafficking gangs.