{"id":2575918,"date":"2026-03-04T08:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T13:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-and-ecuador-target-designated-terrorist-organizations\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T08:09:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T13:09:42","slug":"us-and-ecuador-target-designated-terrorist-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-and-ecuador-target-designated-terrorist-organizations\/","title":{"rendered":"US and Ecuador target &#8216;designated terrorist organizations&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-and-ecuador-target-designated-terrorist-organizations%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2575918&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The United States and Ecuador announced joint operations against \u201cdesignated terrorist organizations\u201d in Ecuador, described as narco-terrorists. Ecuadorian armed forces are carrying out the raids, while the U.S. Army Special Forces provide advisory support, intelligence, and logistics. A short video accompanied the proclamation, and SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis Donovan praised the Ecuadorian forces for their courage and resolve. The report notes that the exact groups targeted where not specified and emphasizes the broader effort to combat narco-terrorism in the region. It also cites a New York Times account indicating U.S. assistance and raids on drug-traffic facilities as part of a widening campaign beyond previous airstrikes against drug shipments, known as Operation Southern Spear. The article frames this as part of a pattern of U.S. military involvement in international affairs,including recent joint strikes with Israel on Iran (Operation Epic Fury) and intelligence support that helped Mexican forces kill cartel leader El Mencho.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">US and Ecuador target &lsquo;designated terrorist organizations&rsquo; in joint operations<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2522003\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The United States and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ecuador\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2160\">Ecuador<\/a> launched joint <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/military\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"266\">military<\/a> operations against &ldquo;designated terrorist organizations&rdquo; in the South American nation, U.S. Southern Command announced late Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>In its statement, SOUTHCOM did not specify which <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/terrorists\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2517\">terrorist<\/a> organizations were being targeted &mdash; only that they were narco-terrorists.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4479235\/israel-maga-divide-allegations-netanyahu-pushed-us-iran\/\">Israel First? MAGA divide erupts over allegations Netanyahu pushed US into Iran conflict<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4479080\/lindsey-graham-already-moves-from-iran-cuba-next\/\">Lindsey Graham already moves on from Iran, warns &#8216;Cuba is next&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4478885\/unesco-historical-monuments-damage-iran-conflict\/\">UNESCO worried about historical monuments being damaged in Iran conflict<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis Donovan said.<\/p>\n<p>A 30-second video accompanied the announcement, featuring unclassified footage of a helicopter taking off and picking up soldiers.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador. The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.<\/p>\n<p>Together,&hellip; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MrkKZcrDbs\">pic.twitter.com\/MrkKZcrDbs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Southcom\/status\/2029011785567572285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>It appears the U.S. Army Special Forces branch is serving an advisory role to Ecuadorian soldiers who are physically carrying out the operations against drug trafficking, according to the <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/03\/us\/politics\/us-ecuador-trump-military-operations.html?campaign_id=60&amp;emc=edit_na_20260304&amp;instance_id=171940&amp;nl=breaking-news&amp;regi_id=251287128&amp;segment_id=216111&amp;user_id=cacf4b228705dfb5d9ecd5ab354cf678\">New York Times<\/a><\/em>. The U.S. is believed to be providing intelligence and logistical support to Ecuador as the latter raids suspected drug shipment facilities and other drug-related sites across the country.<\/p>\n<p>The joint operations mark a significant expansion of the U.S. military strikes on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/here-are-the-groups-trump-has-designated-as-terrorist-organizations\/\" title=\"Here are the groups Trump has designated as ...\">alleged drug boats<\/a> in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>An estimated 150 people, whom the Trump administration claims are narco-terrorists, have been killed in at least 44 airstrikes on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >alleged drug trafficking vessels<\/a>. The strikes started in early September.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pentagon\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"271\">Pentagon<\/a> later revealed the strikes were part of a campaign, known as &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3886847\/hegseth-operation-southern-spear-narcoterrorists\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3886847\/hegseth-operation-southern-spear-narcoterrorists\/\">Operation Southern Spear<\/a>.&rdquo; The name was referenced in SOUTHCOM&rsquo;s statement about the joint U.S.-Ecuador operations.<\/p>\n<p>This is the latest instance of the U.S. military getting involved in international affairs.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4479726\/trump-gut-told-him-time-strike-iran\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4479726\/trump-gut-told-him-time-strike-iran\/\">TRUMP REVEALS HIS GUT TOLD HIM IT WAS TIME TO STRIKE IRAN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Last weekend, the U.S. started conducting joint strikes with Israel on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a> as part of &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475344\/iran-preemptive-strikes-israel-us\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475344\/iran-preemptive-strikes-israel-us\/\">Operation Epic Fury<\/a>.&rdquo; The mission is expected to last up to four or five weeks, although it could extend longer.<\/p>\n<p>Almost a week before, the U.S. provided critical intelligence to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mexico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"322\">Mexican<\/a> forces that killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4466923\/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-dead\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4466923\/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-dead\/\">El Mencho<\/a>.&rdquo; The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cartel-gains-foothold-in-pacific-northwest-opioid-demand-in-region-emboldens-jngc\/\" title=\"Cartel gains foothold in Pacific Northwest, opioid demand in region emboldens JNGC\">cartel boss<\/a>, who was once Mexico&rsquo;s most wanted man, was buried on Monday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. and Ecuador conducted joint operations against designated narco-terrorist groups in Ecuador, per U.S. Southern Command, which did not name the groups. General Francis Donovan praised Ecuador\u2019s armed forces for their determination in fighting narco-terrorists. A brief video released with the announcement shows a helicopter taking off with troops. The March 3 operations involved both countries targeting designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador, illustrating a regional partnership to combat narco-terrorism. The New York Times reports that U.S. Army Special Forces appear to be advising Ecuadorian troops on the ground, providing intelligence and logistics for raids on drug facilities and related sites. The actions represent a substantial expansion of U.S. strikes against suspected drug- trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, with about 150 people labeled narco-terrorists said to have been killed in at least 44 airstrikes since September, according to the Trump administration; the Pentagon described these strikes as part of Operation Southern Spear, a label echoed in SOUTHCOM\u2019s statement. This event fits into a broader pattern of U.S. military involvement in international affairs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2575919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP25058680696487.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[40796,75042,4551,69279,75041],"class_list":["post-2575918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-counterterrorism","tag-designated-terrorist-organizations","tag-foreign-policy","tag-international-relations-2","tag-us-ecuador"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP25058680696487.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2575918"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2575922,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575918\/revisions\/2575922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2575918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2575918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2575918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}