Quick Read
- The US military conducted lethal kinetic operations against narco-terrorists in Ecuador on March 6, 2026.
- The operation was directed by SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan under orders from US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
- Ecuadorian Armed Forces supported the joint operations, targeting a narco-terrorist supply complex.
- US officials, including Sean Parnell and Pete Hegseth, confirmed the disruption of narco-terrorist operations and logistics.
- Casualties from the operation were not immediately clear.
QUITO (Azat TV) – The United States military, in coordination with Ecuadorian Armed Forces, conducted lethal kinetic operations against designated narco-terrorist organizations within Ecuador on Friday, March 6, 2026. The joint action, ordered by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, significantly disrupted the operations and logistics of a narco-terrorist supply complex, marking a strategic success in the ongoing fight against transnational crime in the Western Hemisphere.
The operation, directed by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, underscores a heightened commitment from both nations to dismantle violent criminal networks. This development follows earlier joint operations launched this week by American and Ecuadorian forces targeting suspected narco-terrorists, according to statements from US officials.
Joint US-Ecuadorian Military Operation Targets Narco-Terrorists
The lethal kinetic operations were carried out by a joint force, with SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan directing US personnel to support Ecuadorian forces. The directive came directly from US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. General Donovan praised the collaborative effort, stating, “We are advancing alongside our partners in the fight against narcoterrorism. I congratulate our joint forces and the Ecuadorian armed forces for the successful operation against narcoterrorists in Ecuador. This collaborative and decisive action is a strategic success for all nations in the Western Hemisphere committed to disrupting and defeating narcoterrorism.”
Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs, Chief Pentagon Spokesman, and Senior Advisor to SECWAR, also commended Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and the country’s security forces. Parnell highlighted that the partnership successfully disrupted a narco-terrorist supply complex, impacting their operations and logistics. “At the request of Ecuador, the Department of War executed targeted action to advance our shared objective of dismantling narco-terrorist networks,” Parnell stated. He added, “This operation demonstrates the power of coordinated action and sends a clear message: narco-terrorist networks will not find refuge in our hemisphere. The United States remains steadfast in supporting nations that stand against narcoterrorism. Together, we will dismantle trafficking and corruption networks, hold these organisations accountable, and restore peace through strength.”
Dismantling Narco-Terrorist Networks in the Western Hemisphere
The operation is part of a broader strategy under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth, aimed at uniting partners across the Western Hemisphere to detect, disrupt, and destroy designated terrorist organizations that fuel violence and corruption. Secretary Hegseth himself confirmed the nature of the operations, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “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…”
While the operation was confirmed to be a success in disrupting the narco-terrorist infrastructure, it was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties from the engagement, as reported by Fox News. This information gap is common in the immediate aftermath of such sensitive military actions.
Strategic Cooperation and Future Actions Against Narco-Terrorism
The joint military action represents a significant escalation in the battle against drug trafficking and associated terrorism in the region. The repeated emphasis on “lethal kinetic operations” and “bombing” underscores a more aggressive posture by the United States in supporting its allies in Latin America. The collaboration with Ecuador highlights the growing regional commitment to addressing the destabilizing influence of narco-terrorist groups.
The statements from US officials, particularly Secretary Hegseth’s comment about “much more to come from SOUTHCOM,” suggest that this operation is not an isolated incident but rather a precursor to continued and potentially expanded efforts. The focus remains on dismantling the entire ecosystem of narco-terrorist networks, from supply complexes to logistical chains, to restore peace and stability through strength.
This joint US-Ecuadorian military operation signals a strategic shift towards more direct and kinetic engagement against narco-terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere, reflecting a coordinated effort to address what both nations view as a significant threat to regional security and governance.