US Pledges $45 Million and Naval Vessels to Bolster Ecuador's Security Campaign

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a $45 million security assistance package for Ecuador during a diplomatic visit to Quito. Rubio commended Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa for his administration's aggressive crackdown on organized crime, calling Noboa a key regional ally in dismantling criminal syndicates.

Alongside the security funds, the US will allocate $10 million to combat drug trafficking, gang recruitment, and illegal gold mining. The Trump administration is also bolstering Ecuador's naval capabilities by donating a coast guard cutter and five interceptor boats, supplementing seven vessels delivered earlier this year.

During his visit, which is part of a broader South American tour including Colombia and Peru, Rubio designated the Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation aligns with Washington's broader strategy of labeling regional criminal networks as terrorist entities.

Under Noboa, Ecuador has adopted a highly militarized approach to combatting drug cartels, deploying armed forces to high-crime areas under a declared "state of war." This strategy mirrors the Trump administration's security priorities, leading to increased bilateral cooperation, joint maritime operations, and Ecuador's participation in the US-led Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.

However, the joint anti-narcotics campaign has faced scrutiny. Human rights advocates and families have accused the US of killing innocent fishermen during lethal maritime strikes in the Pacific and Caribbean, which have claimed over 220 lives since late 2025. Rubio defended these operations, asserting that the actions strictly target drug traffickers rather than civilians.

Source: Al Jazeera