Washington - U.S. commandos have joined Ecuadorian forces in a joint mission called 'Lanza Marina,' aimed at dismantling a suspected criminal hub along Ecuador's coast. The operation targets a compound believed to serve as a staging ground for high-speed boats linked to the powerful Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros. Two U.S. officials told CBS News that American forces are in advisory roles, assisting Ecuadorian troops as part of broader efforts to curb trafficking networks using maritime routes.
The Defense Department has historically supported such missions under legal authorities like 10 U.S.C. § 127e, which allows U.S. military support for foreign forces combating terrorism. In early March, the U.S. and Ecuador launched joint operations against designated terrorist organizations, following strikes against suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.
Marine Gen. Francis Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, commended the Ecuadorian armed forces for their commitment to fighting narco-terrorists. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously designated Los Choneros as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist, highlighting the group's influence over escalating violence in Ecuador and its international reach.
Los Choneros, formed in the 1990s, operates with a decentralized structure, allowing it to expand and adapt despite targeted leadership. The group has ties with transnational networks, including Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and Albanian criminal groups, playing a significant role in global drug trafficking routes. The National Counter Terrorism Center estimates the organization has approximately 12,000 members, primarily operating in Manabi, Ecuador, but also present in other provinces and neighboring countries.