|
Speaking to a local radio station, Interior Minister John
Reimberg urged citizens to observe an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew
from March 15-30 in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos and Santo
Domingo de los Tsáchilas — three of the most violent in the
South American country.
Residents under curfew need to stay in their homes and keep the
roads clear to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment,
he said.
“We do not want collateral victims from the attacks we are about
to launch,” Reimberg said. “We have significant support from
U.S. forces for the operations we are about to carry out."
The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador didn't immediately respond to an
emailed request for comment from The Associated Press.
Asked for a comment Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Southern
Command only reiterated the comments offered by Marine Gen.
Francis L. Donovan following the March 3 strikes: "We commend
the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their
unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and
resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in
their country.”
The announcement came days after Ecuador and the U.S. began
joint military operations against organized crime groups in the
South American country, although at the time neither government
gave details of the location and scope of the operation.
The attacks against violent criminal groups are aimed at
“destroying what they have built in various parts of the
country,” Reimberg said, although he declined to provide
specific details, citing security concerns.
Later Wednesday, Ecuador and the U.S. announced an agreement to
establish the first-ever FBI office in Ecuador, a move described
by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Lawrence Petroni as “a very
important milestone” in strengthening the operational bond
between the FBI and Ecuadorian police.
The FBI office will start operations inside the U.S. Embassy in
Quito, according to the police. Vice President María José Pinto
praised the initiative as essential for “better investigating
and understanding criminal threats."
Since early 2021, Ecuador has faced a relentless offensive by
organized crime groups which, according to police, maintain
close ties with drug trafficking cartels in Colombia and Mexico.
Ecuador is considered a logistical hub for drug trafficking,
serving as a staging and distribution point for narcotics
entering the country — primarily from Colombia, though shipments
also arrive from Peru. According to authorities, these illicit
shipments are transported from Ecuadorian seaports to Central
America, the United States and Europe, among other destinations.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
