A "new phase" in the fight against organized crime has begun as U.S. Southern Command joins forces with the Ecuadorean military.
The goal is to dismantle the gangs that have brought record-breaking violence and corruption to the region.
The U.S. military is now actively helping Ecuador guard its borders and ports. This follows the temporary deployment of U.S. Air Force personnel to the port city of Manta to monitor drug routes.
This isn't just about Ecuador. The U.S. has recently taken huge steps in the region, including the arrest of Venezuela’s former leader, Nicolás Maduro, on drug charges.
President Trump has been critical of nearby Colombia, suggesting that the U.S. might expand its military strikes there if they don't do more to stop drug exports.
By working together, the U.S. and Ecuador hope to reduce the soaring violence caused by gangs and prevent "thousands of tonnes" of cocaine from reaching American streets.
