On Friday, Ecuadorian Armed Forces, with assistance from the United States, carried out a military operation in Sucumbíos province that successfully located and bombed a camp used by the drug cartel known as Comandos de la Frontera (CDF).
The site served as a rest area for alias "Mono Tole," identified as a leader of the organization, and also functioned as a training ground capable of accommodating around 50 drug traffickers.
This initiative was officially introduced as part of Operation "Total Extermination," under the "Total Offensive" phase driven by Ecuador's Security Block.
According to an official release from Ecuador's Ministry of Defense, the camp was situated in the canton of Cascales, within the Santa Rosa sector of Sucumbíos, forming part of the criminal organization's "security rings."
The release noted that the infrastructure was utilized for both the protection of leaders and the training of members involved in drug trafficking activities.
The operation was made possible through intelligence work and U.S. support, as stated in the communiqué, which highlights bilateral security cooperation, including the exchange of strategic information and capacity-building to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.
Prior to executing the operation, Ecuadorian Armed Forces conducted offensive reconnaissance missions.
Large-Scale Operation
These efforts, as detailed in the bulletin, involved the use of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, riverine vessels, drones, and specialized military personnel, enabling the precise location and subsequent destruction of the criminal infrastructure.
Following the bombing and during the subsequent sweep of the area, military personnel discovered weapons and "other evidence" linked to the organization's illicit activities.
The document does not specify the types of weapons found, the number seized, or whether there were any arrests, injuries, or fatalities during the operation.
The official report frames the attack as an effort to weaken the logistical and operational capacities of drug trafficking organizations, reclaim territorial control, and protect the population.
It emphasizes that Ecuadorian borders "will not be a base for drug trafficking," presenting the outcome as proof that international cooperation can obstruct criminal networks operating beyond national boundaries.
The bulletin directly connects the operation to President Daniel Noboa's strategy to confront drug cartels "without truce," implemented through the Security Block led by National Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo and under the operational command of Joint Armed Forces Chief Henry Delgado Salvador.
Furthermore, the text highlights the United States as "a key ally" in this fight, underscoring that the action took place within the framework of bilateral cooperation mechanisms between the two nations.
This formulation places the operation not only in a military context but also within political and diplomatic spheres, portraying the offensive as a result of established international coordination on security matters.
Understanding the Ecuador and U.S. Joint Operation Against Drug Cartels
What was the purpose of the joint operation between Ecuador and the U.S.?
The operation aimed to dismantle a key drug cartel base, weaken the cartel's logistical and operational capabilities, and reinforce territorial control to protect the local population.
How did the United States assist Ecuador in this operation?
The United States supported the operation through intelligence sharing and capacity-building as part of bilateral security cooperation efforts.
Who is Mono Tole in the context of this operation?
Mono Tole is identified as a leader within the Comandos de la Frontera drug cartel, whose camp was targeted in the operation.