The U.S. military executed a precise strike on Friday, targeting a narco-terrorist network within Ecuador, according to an announcement by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
In a joint operation with Ecuadorian forces, SOUTHCOM confirmed the use of lethal force against groups suspected to be designated terrorist organizations operating within the nation.
“Following directives from the Secretary of War, General Francis L. Donovan, Commander of SOUTHCOM, instructed the joint task force to assist Ecuadorian forces in executing lethal operations against these terrorist entities on March 6,” SOUTHCOM shared in a post on the social media platform X.
General Donovan expressed that the United States is progressing alongside its partners in the ongoing battle against narco-terrorism.
The Pentagon revealed that this targeted action was carried out at Ecuador’s request, aiming to dismantle a crucial supply network linked to narco-terrorism.
“I commend the joint efforts of our forces and the Ecuadorian military for successfully executing this operation against narco-terrorists in Ecuador,” Donovan stated. “This collaboration marks a significant strategic victory for all nations in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to the disruption and eradication of narco-terrorism.”
It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties from the operation.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a video of the strike on X, writing, “Yes — as @POTUS has said — we are bombing narco-terrorists on land as well. Thank you to our partners in Ecuador. Much more to come from @Southcom.”
U.S. Southern Command General Francis Donovan, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Homeland security advisor Stephen Miller pose for a portrait before they host the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference with regional defense and security leaders at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Fla., March 5, 2026. (Maria Alejandra Cardona/Reuters)
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement that the War Department is “uniting partners across the Western Hemisphere to detect, disrupt and destroy designated terrorist organizations that fuel violence and corruption.”
Parnell said Ecuador requested that the War Department execute targeted action “to advance our shared objective of dismantling narco-terrorist networks.”
“This operation demonstrates the power of coordinated action and sends a clear message: Narco-terrorist networks will not find refuge in our hemisphere,” he said.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a news conference at the Pentagon June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Parnell added that the U.S. “remains steadfast in supporting nations that stand against narco-terrorism.”
“Together, we will dismantle trafficking and corruption networks, hold these organizations accountable, and restore peace through strength,” he said.
Parnell said the operation targeted a narco-terrorist supply complex, “disrupting their operations and logistics.”
He commended the Ecuadorian government and the country’s defense and security forces for their partnership in the operation.
The strike follows joint operations launched earlier this week by U.S. and Ecuadorian forces targeting suspected narco-terrorists in Ecuador, according to U.S. Southern Command.
SOUTHCOM said it was taking “decisive action” against designated terrorist organizations.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador said the United States “successfully concluded a joint operation” with Europol and Ecuadorian authorities dismantling the Hernán Ruilova Barzola transnational drug trafficking organization, which it said is linked to the Los Lobos cartel.
The U.S. has conducted at least 43 strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 150 people.
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