Ecuador gets two US Reaper drones for anti-drug fight

Ecuador's government said Thursday that the United States had supplied two MQ-9 Reaper drones for its campaign against drug traffickers amid violence linked to cocaine trafficking.

The defense ministry said on Instagram that the drones, which are capable of strikes, would be used for surveillance and intelligence gathering. Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo said in a video on X that Ecuador would use them to monitor its 730-kilometer border with Colombia, described as one of the main sources of cocaine that moves through Ecuador's ports.

Ecuador is one of 14 Latin American countries allied to US President Donald Trump that have joined the anti-cartel Shield of the Americas. Washington has already sent troops and military aircraft to Ecuador to combat a surge in violence linked to the cocaine trade.

Ecuador has become a key gateway to international markets for cocaine smuggled from Colombia and Peru. Mexican cartels have forged alliances with local gangs, including Los Choneros and Los Tiguerones, which the United States has designated as terrorist organizations.