Quito, Ecuador — Ecuador will launch a major offensive against criminal organizations in three western provinces this weekend with logistical support from the United States, the Ecuadorian Interior Minister announced on Wednesday.
Speaking to a local radio station, Interior Secretary John Remberg Urging citizens to adhere to the 11pm to 5am curfew from March 15 to 30 in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos and Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas – three of the most violent provinces in the country. South American country.
He added that residents subject to the curfew must stay in their homes and keep roads open to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment.
“We don’t want any collateral casualties from the attacks we’re about to launch,” Remberg said. He added: “We have great support from the American forces for the operations that we are about to carry out.”
The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador did not immediately respond to an email request for comment from The Associated Press.
When asked for comment Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Southern Command echoed comments made by Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan following the March 3 strikes: “We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces for their steadfast commitment to this fight, and for demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.”
The announcement came days after Ecuador-U.S Joint military operations against organized crime groups in the South American country, although neither government at the time provided details of the location and scope of the operation.
Reimberg said the attacks against violent criminal groups were aimed at “destroying what they have built in different parts of the country,” though he declined to provide specific details, due to security concerns.
Later on Wednesday, Ecuador and the United States announced an agreement to establish the first FBI office in Ecuador, a move that U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affairs Lawrence Petrone described as a “very important milestone” in strengthening operational ties between the FBI and Ecuadorian police.
Police said that the FBI will begin operations inside the US Embassy in Quito. Vice President Maria José Pinto praised the initiative as necessary to “better investigate and understand criminal threats.”
Since early 2021, Ecuador has faced a relentless attack by organized crime groups that, according to police, maintain close ties with drug trafficking gangs in Colombia and Mexico.
Ecuador is a logistics hub for drug trafficking, serving as a departure and distribution point for drugs entering the country – primarily from Colombia, although shipments also arrive from Peru. According to authorities, these illicit shipments are transported from Ecuadorian seaports to Central America, the United States and Europe, among other destinations. ___
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