Trending Now - Ecuador Mobilizes 75,000 Forces to Fight Drug Gangs

WHO:

President Daniel Noboa, Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg, President Trump, U.S. forces, Ecuadoran military, FBI

WHAT:

Ecuador deployed 75,000 soldiers and police to combat drug gangs.

Operations against drug traffickers began on March 16th, 2026, and will last for two weeks.

Approximately 35,000 soldiers will be deployed along with armored cars and helicopters.

Nighttime curfews imposed in coastal provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, and El Oro.

John Reimberg stated, "We're at war," and advised citizens to stay home.

Reimberg declared, "To the mafias: your time is up. Nothing can stop us."

WHERE:

Ecuador, specifically the coastal provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, and El Oro.

WHEN:

Operations began on March 16th, 2026, and will continue for two weeks.

The alliance against drug cartels was launched earlier in March 2026.

WHY:

The operations aim to combat rising rates of drug-related crimes, including murders, disappearances, and extortion.

HOW:

The operations are supported by the United States as part of a 17-country cartel-fighting alliance.

Joint strikes were previously conducted by U.S. and Ecuadoran forces inside Ecuador.

The FBI plans to open an office in Ecuador to investigate organized crime, money laundering, and corruption.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 13:25 UTC)

Today, Ecuador has launched a significant operation against drug gangs, deploying 75,000 soldiers and police to combat rising drug-related crimes, including murders and extortion. President Trump, along with Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg, announced that these operations will last for two weeks, with nighttime curfews imposed in several coastal provinces, as Reimberg declared, "We're at war." The United States is supporting this effort as part of a 17-country alliance, with the FBI planning to open an office in Ecuador to tackle organized crime and corruption.