U.S. military personnel and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) assisted Ecuadorian authorities in the arrest of more than 30 individuals allegedly linked to the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), according to Ecuador's interior minister, John Reimberg. The operation, conducted in several cities across southwestern Ecuador, involved over 320 Ecuadorian police officers and 50 U.S. military personnel from the Southern Command. Reimberg shared photos and videos of the raids, highlighting the joint effort to disrupt drug trafficking networks. The CJNG, a powerful Mexican cartel, is known for its involvement in the production and distribution of cocaine, often using South American countries as transit points for international markets. Ecuador, once considered one of the safest countries in South America, has increasingly become a focal point in the global cocaine trafficking trade. Gangs with connections to both Mexican and Colombian cartels have expanded their operations in the region, exploiting the country's strategic location and access to the Pacific Ocean. In July 2025, Ecuador extradited Adolfo Macías, the leader of the "Los Choneros" gang, to the United States, where he faces charges related to drug trafficking and the possession of firearms. Macías had previously escaped from a maximum-security prison in 2024 but was recaptured in June 2025. Earlier this year, American commandos joined Ecuadorian forces in a mission targeting a suspected criminal hub linked to a narco-terrorist group along the Ecuadorian coast. The ongoing military operations against criminal organizations in Ecuador have raised concerns among human rights groups. These organizations have reported instances of excessive force, torture, and enforced disappearances by security forces. Despite these allegations, Ecuador’s right-wing President Daniel Noboa has defended the government’s actions. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Noboa argued that while there is significant criticism of the country’s fight against organized crime, there is less attention given to the number of people harmed by criminal groups. Ecuador, a close ally of the United States, has positioned itself as a key player in regional efforts to combat organized crime across Latin America. The collaboration with U.S. forces underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in addressing the transnational nature of drug trafficking and related criminal activities. However, the balance between security and human rights remains a contentious issue, as the government continues to prioritize anti-drug operations amid growing scrutiny.