US military carries out targeted strike on narco-terrorist network in Ecuador
Southern Command says operation involved 'lethal kinetic action' against designated terrorist organizations
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S. military carried out a targeted strike Friday against a narco-terrorist network in Ecuador, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said.
SOUTHCOM said the joint U.S.-Ecuador operation involved lethal kinetic action against suspected designated terrorist organizations in the country.
"At the order of @SecWar, #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan directed the joint force to support Ecuadorian forces conducing lethal kinetic operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations within Ecuador March 6," SOUTHCOM posted on X.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Donovan said in a statement that the U.S. was "advancing alongside our partners in the fight against narcoterrorism."
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The Pentagon said U.S. forces carried out targeted action at Ecuador’s request to dismantle a narco-terrorist supply complex (Sean Parnell via X)
"I congratulate our joint forces and the Ecuadorian armed forces for the successful operation against narcoterrorists in Ecuador," he said. "This collaborative and decisive action is a strategic success for all nations in the Western Hemisphere committed to disrupting and defeating narcoterrorism."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Homeland Security Advisor, Stephen Miller, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and U.S. Southern Command General Francis Donovan pose for a portrait outside before they host the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference with regional defense and security leaders at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida, U.S., 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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a news conference at the Pentagon, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Parnell added that the U.S. "remains steadfast in supporting nations that stand against narcoterrorism."
"Together, we will dismantle trafficking and corruption networks, hold these organizations accountable, and restore peace through strength," he said.
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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.