During his visit to Ecuador, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States plans to enhance its collaboration with Latin American allies in the fight against drug trafficking. Rubio emphasized that the US military retains the capability to target vessels when deemed necessary. The strategy includes forging agreements for joint operations with countries such as Ecuador and Colombia, focusing particularly on activities within their territorial waters and aligning with local regulations.
Rubio’s remarks come as the US continues its military campaign against boats suspected of drug trafficking involvement. This campaign has garnered attention following a recent incident in the Caribbean Sea where a US strike allegedly resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Since the campaign’s initiation in September 2025, at least 230 people have reportedly been killed across 69 operations.
The Secretary of State clarified that any future military actions would be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the threat and the vessel’s location. He highlighted the importance of working alongside regional governments to effectively disrupt and dismantle drug-trafficking routes. This approach marks a shift towards greater cooperation after previous US strikes faced criticism for being conducted unilaterally.
The move towards increased collaboration follows controversy over past operations carried out under the Trump administration, which targeted vessels suspected of involvement with “narco-terrorists” without the participation or explicit consent of local governments. Rubio assured that the new strategy aims to address these concerns by fostering partnerships that respect the sovereignty and laws of Latin American nations involved.
