Ecuadorean troops find 35m-long 'narco-sub' hidden in nature reserve

Ecuadorean troops discovered a 35-meter-long "narco-submarine" hidden in the Cayapas-Mataje nature reserve near the Colombian border. The semi-submersible was found with 6,000 gallons of fuel, ready for a drug-smuggling voyage. The discovery occurred shortly after President Daniel Noboa announced a new phase in the war on drug cartels. Ecuador, located between Colombia and Peru, has become a key transit country for illicit drugs. In addition to the submarine, troops seized speedboats, outboard motors, and fuel barrels, encountering armed resistance during the operation. President Noboa has been working with the US to curb drug flow, discussing security cooperation with US Southern Command.

US and Ecuadorian forces have launched a joint operation to combat drug trafficking in Ecuador, targeting designated terrorist organizations. The US Southern Command announced the action, stating it aims to address illicit drug trafficking. This follows Ecuador's President Noboa's statement that the US and other allies are participating in a new phase of Ecuador's fight against drug cartels, as 70% of the world's cocaine flows through its ports. The operation comes after Ecuadorians voted against allowing the return of foreign military bases. Recent talks between Noboa and US Southern Command officials focused on information sharing and operational coordination at airports and seaports.

The US military has launched a joint operation with Ecuadorian forces to combat drug trafficking in the region. The operation is aimed at combating illicit drug trafficking and was announced by the US Southern Command. Details of the operation are classified, but it follows a meeting between Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and US officials, including Francis Donovan and Mark Schafer. The operation is part of a broader effort to combat cocaine smuggling, which is believed to originate from Colombia and Peru. The US has increased security cooperation with Ecuador since Noboa came to power in 2023, and the country had previously reopened a shuttered US military base. The operation marks a new phase in the "war on drugs" between the two countries.