The Shield of the Americas is in action.
Ten days have passed since Donald J. Trump gathered conservative, patriotic Latin American leaders in Doral, Florida, for the Shield of the Americas summit, and we are already seeing action on the ground.
Yesterday (16), Ecuador began two weeks of operations against the cartels with support from the US, in a joint show of strength.
Ecuador launched a massive military crackdown on drug cartels over the weekend, backed by U.S. logistical support, targeting criminal strongholds in Guayas, Los Ríos, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.
A nationwide curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM is in effect in coastal provinces… https://t.co/uSSewOlmor pic.twitter.com/STs1yOYgbJ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 17, 2026
CBS News reported:
“Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, one of Trump’s staunchest allies on the continent, has spent the past two years targeting cocaine traffickers, but the rates of associated crimes including murders, disappearances and extortion have not fallen.
Interior Minister John Reimberg had announced on Tuesday a ‘very strong offensive’ to begin Sunday in areas worst affected by drug-related violence.”
BREAKING
Less than a week after meeting with Trump
Ecuador President Noboa has dispatch ARMOURED TROOP CARRIERS
to arrest narco terrorists, dead or alive. pic.twitter.com/rYe4BVv6K7
— Tablesalt
(@Tablesalt13) March 17, 2026
Curfews have been imposed in the coastal provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo, and El Oro during the operation.
“’We’re at war,’ Reimberg said. ‘Don’t take any risks, don’t go out, stay home. To the mafias: your time is up. Nothing can stop us’.
[…] Around 35,000 soldiers will be deployed along with armored cars and helicopters, according to images and video released by authorities.”
It’s estimated that 70 percent of the drugs produced by Colombia and Peru are shipped through Ecuador.
Watch:
ECUADOR INICIA OPERATIVO ANTINARCOTRÁFICO CON APOYO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS
Ecuador comenzó un plan de quince días para combatir bandas del narcotráfico en provincias costeras. La operación cuenta con 75,000 efectivos y asesoría estadounidense, aplicando toques de queda nocturnos… pic.twitter.com/DiV6nROfFx
— John P. Acquaviva (@JPAFS) March 16, 2026
President @petrogustavo of Colombia has accused the Ecuadorian Armed Forces of dropping bombs on Colombian territory near the border.
Ecuador is currently stepping up anti-cartel operations across the country.pic.twitter.com/k4WzzLB58Q
— SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) March 17, 2026
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The post WATCH: Ecuador Launches Anti-Drug Operations With US Logistical Support – Colombia’s Petro Says Ecuadorean Air Force Is Striking Cartel and Guerilla Camps Across the Border appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.