White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday provided a brief update on a newly announced U.S. military operation in Ecuador during her daily press briefing, referring reporters to an earlier statement from U.S. Southern Command.
“On Ecuador, I would point you back to the statement released by the U.S. Southern Command. On March 3rd, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against designated terrorist organizations,” Leavitt said.
She added that the operation reflects growing cooperation between the United States and regional partners to combat criminal networks in the hemisphere.
“These operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narcoterrorism. Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narcoterrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere,” she said.
U.S. Southern Command released a nearly identical statement announcing the operation earlier this week.
“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,” the statement read.
“Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere.”
Politico first reported on the operation Tuesday night, noting that the military released few details about the mission. According to the report, officials suggested the effort may extend policies implemented during the Trump administration targeting suspected drug trafficking organizations in the region.
Ecuador has faced a growing security crisis in recent years, with powerful drug cartels carrying out attacks on infrastructure, police, and public institutions while fueling widespread violence in major cities.
Leavitt also announced that President Donald Trump will host leaders from across Latin America in Miami later this week for a regional summit.
“On that note, I would also add that this weekend, I’m pleased to announce the president will welcome the heads of state from 12 nations across our Western Hemisphere in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. The point of this newfound Latin America summit is to promote freedom, security, and prosperity in our region,” she said.
Leavitt said the leaders expected to attend include representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago.
“The president will be speaking with the leaders of these countries who have really formed a historic coalition to work together to address criminal narcoterrorist gangs and cartels and counter illegal mass migration into not only the United States but the Western Hemisphere, which remains a key and top priority of this president,” she concluded.
