U.S. Forces Aid Ecuador in Major Drug Cartel Arrests

WHO:

CBS News - Ecuador's interior minister

Fox News - Ecuador's foreign minister Roberto Kury

Fox News - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Fox News - President Daniel Noboa

WHAT:

CBS News - U.S. troops assisted Ecuador in arresting dozens linked to drug cartels.

Fox News - Ecuador has become a key ally in Trump's crackdown on drug cartels and narcoterrorism.

Fox News - Approximately 70% of the world’s cocaine passes through Ecuadorian ports.

Fox News - The cocaine trade in Ecuador is estimated at roughly $30 billion a year.

Fox News - U.S. and Ecuadorian forces launched joint operations targeting suspected narco-terrorists.

WHERE:

CBS News - Ecuador

Fox News - Quito, Ecuador

Fox News - Ecuadorian ports

WHEN:

Fox News - A press conference was held on September 9, 2026.

Fox News - Joint operations targeting narco-terrorists were launched on a Tuesday.

WHY:

Fox News - Ecuador is facing a surge in violence due to drug trafficking, prompting President Noboa to declare an "internal armed conflict."

Fox News - The U.S. shares the problem of drug trafficking as most drugs are sent to the United States.

HOW:

CBS News - The operation was conducted jointly with U.S. troops and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Fox News - Ecuadorian military and police work alongside U.S. forces in operations against drug cartels.

Fox News - Kury emphasized the need for intelligence and technical cooperation from the U.S. in addition to monetary support.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 21:00 UTC)

U.S. troops have joined forces with Ecuadorian military and police to arrest dozens of individuals linked to drug cartels, marking a significant step in President Trump's crackdown on narcoterrorism. Ecuador, which sees approximately 70% of the world’s cocaine pass through its ports, is facing a surge in violence due to drug trafficking, prompting President Daniel Noboa to declare an "internal armed conflict." Ecuador's foreign minister, Roberto Kury, highlighted the importance of U.S. intelligence and technical cooperation, alongside financial support, to combat this escalating crisis.