Did the U.S. Focus on Fentanyl Leave Latin America Awash in Cocaine?

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 8 min read 100% complete by Maria Abi-Habib, José María León Cabrera and Daniele VolpeDecember 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM

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The U.S. shifted its focus to combating fentanyl starting around 2017, leading to a surge in cocaine trafficking, particularly in Ecuador. Ecuadorean officials pleaded with Washington for assistance, but their calls were largely ignored due to the U.S.'s prioritization of fentanyl. This shift allowed criminal groups to flourish in Ecuador, leading to increased violence, prison control by gangs, and a near collapse of the country. The Ecuadorean military found itself struggling alone against international criminal alliances. While the U.S. eventually increased financial aid, the initial focus on fentanyl allowed cocaine trafficking to thrive in Latin America.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guayaquil 50% Mike Fitzpatrick ×260% United States ×470% Ecuador ×680%

Keywords

ecuador 90% fentanyl 90% cocaine trafficking 80% criminal groups 70% u.s. foreign policy 60% drug cartels 60% united states 60% drug war 50% anti-narcotics operations 50%