{"id":2575998,"date":"2026-03-04T11:29:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-announces-military-operation-inside-ecuador-targeting-designated-terrorist-organizations\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:33:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:33:40","slug":"pentagon-announces-military-operation-inside-ecuador-targeting-designated-terrorist-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-announces-military-operation-inside-ecuador-targeting-designated-terrorist-organizations\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon Announces Military Operation Inside Ecuador Targeting &#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\">20<\/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%2Fpentagon-announces-military-operation-inside-ecuador-targeting-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=2575998&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 piece reports on a joint operation by Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/can-she-ever-fly-the-flag-maybe-just-once-for-us-bill-hemmer-katie-pavlich-call-out-ilhan-omar-over-extreme-comments\/\" title=\"\u2018Can She Ever Fly The Flag Maybe Just Once For Us?\u2019: Bill Hemmer, Katie Pavlich Call Out Ilhan Omar Over \u2018Extreme\u2019 Comments\">designated terrorist organizations<\/a> in Ecuador, launched on March 3, 2026. It presents the actions as evidence of strong regional partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat narco-terrorism. Quotes from U.S. Southern command, including General Francis Donovan, emphasize that cooperation with regional allies is crucial to disrupt narco-terrorists who have terrorized communities.The article notes a hardening U.S. stance after Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio\u2019s visit to Ecuador,where two major gangs\u2014Los lobos and Los Choneros\u2014were discussed as potential foreign terrorist organizations. It also cites The New York Times on Ecuador\u2019s role as a major exporter of cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru, implying broader regional implications. Colombian President Daniel Noboa is cited as announcing a new phase against narcoterrorism and illegal mining,with planned joint operations with regional partners,including the United States. the report frames the efforts as a coordinated, ongoing push to disrupt and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >dismantle narco-terrorist networks<\/a> across the region.  <\/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\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?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<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>American military forces are taking the war against drug lords to Ecuador.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-and-ecuador-target-designated-terrorist-organizations\/\" title=\"US and ... target &#039;...&#039;\">military forces launched operations<\/a> against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador,&rdquo; U.S. Southern command <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Southcom\/status\/2029011785567572285\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">posted<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism,&rdquo; the post continued.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Together, we are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/free-beacon-staff-to-editors-arm-the-nathan-robinson-regime-to-prevent-communist-takeover-of-current-affairs\/\" title=\"Free Beacon Staff to Editors: Arm the Nathan Robinson Regime To Prevent Communist Takeover of \u2018Current Affairs\u2019\">taking decisive action<\/a> to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">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 href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MrkKZcrDbs\">pic.twitter.com\/MrkKZcrDbs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Southcom\/status\/2029011785567572285?\">March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadAnyclip() { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst container=document.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!container) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=\"https:\/\/player.anyclip.com\/anyclip-widget\/lre-widget\/prod\/v1\/src\/lre.js\"; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute(\"pubname\", \"westernjournalcom\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute(\"widgetname\", \"001w000001jULVcAAO_M12924\");  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ append inside the container so player shows in correct spot \t\t\t\t\t\tcontainer.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadAnyclip(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #anyclipvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#anyclipvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The post quoted Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis Donovan as saying, &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;<\/p>\n<p>As noted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cx23nzwjnwwo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC<\/a>, in September, Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador and took a hard line against criminal organizations in the nation.<\/p>\n<p>During his visit, he said two major Ecuador-based gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, would be designated as foreign terrorist organizations.<\/p>\n<p>Rubio said at the time that the U.S. would partner with foreign nations to fight criminal organizations.<\/p>\n<p>A report in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/03\/us\/politics\/us-ecuador-trump-military-operations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The New York Times<\/a>&nbsp;noted that Ecuador is the world&rsquo;s largest exporter of cocaine that is produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru.<\/p>\n<p>A Tuesday Southern Command <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Southcom\/status\/2028787470616170936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post<\/a> indicated more action might be forthcoming.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\">&ldquo;Ecuador is one of the United States&rsquo; strongest partners in disrupting and dismantling Designated Terrorist Organizations in the region. The most effective way to defeat the threat of narco-terrorism is through d responsibility and collaboration among regional allies and partners,&rdquo; Donovan was quoted as saying in the post.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">&ldquo;Ecuador is one of the United States&rsquo; strongest partners in disrupting and dismantling Designated Terrorist Organizations in the region. The most effective way to defeat the threat of narco-terrorism is through d responsibility and collaboration among regional allies and&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UajjrzD78t\">pic.twitter.com\/UajjrzD78t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Southcom\/status\/2028787470616170936?\">March 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Colombian President Daniel Noboa discussed the operation Monday in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DanielNoboaOk\/status\/2028555515534414020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are launching a new phase against narcoterrorism and illegal mining,&rdquo; he wrote in a translated version of his post.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In the month of March, we will conduct joint operations with our regional allies, including the United States. The security of Ecuadorians is our priority, and we will fight to achieve peace in every corner of the country,&rdquo; he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To achieve that peace, we must act forcefully against criminals, wherever they may be. The pursuit of justice and national dignity will never be persecution, but rather a promise that we will keep to Ecuadorians,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A joint operation by American and Ecuadorian forces targeted designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador on March 3, highlighting strong regional cooperation against narco-terrorism. U.S. Southern Command framed the actions as a clear demonstration of commitment among Latin American and Caribbean partners to confront narco-terrorists who have terrorized citizens, and the post quoted Gen. Francis Donovan praising the Ecuadorian armed forces for their courage and resolve.<\/p>\n<p>Media notes mentioned that during a September visit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced two Ecuador-based gangs\u2014Los Lobos and Los Choneros\u2014would be designated foreign terrorist organizations and that the U.S. would partner with other nations to combat criminal groups. The New York Times observed that Ecuador is a major exporter of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru, and SOUTHCOM suggested more actions might follow. Donovan also reiterated that Ecuador is one of the United States\u2019 strongest partners in disrupting Designated Terrorist Organizations in the region, and that defeating narco-terrorism requires shared responsibility and collaboration among regional allies and partners.<\/p>\n<p>Colombian President Daniel Noboa commented on the operation, announcing a new phase against narcoterrorism and illegal mining and signaling joint March operations with regional allies, including the United States. He stressed that Ecuadorians\u2019 security is a priority and that action against criminals\u2014guided by justice and national dignity\u2014will be pursued across the country<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2575999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-03-04T085339.951.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[49788,75066,41585,3761,75067],"class_list":["post-2575998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ecuador","tag-militaryoperation","tag-nationalsecurity","tag-pentagon","tag-terroristorganizations"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-03-04T085339.951.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575998","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\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2575998"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2576002,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575998\/revisions\/2576002"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2575998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2575998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2575998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}