Ecuador, once considered a peaceful country in South America, is now facing a wave of violence driven by powerful criminal organizations. As gangs linked to international drug cartels continue to terrorize the population, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa is calling for help from the United States and other global allies. His plan includes building military infrastructure, strengthening partnerships, and openly welcoming U.S. forces into the country. This move could mark a new phase in U.S. involvement in Latin America and may be a response to the growing influence of countries like China in the region.
A New Military Base in Manta
One of the clearest signs that Ecuador is preparing for U.S. involvement is the construction of a new naval facility in the coastal city of Manta. According to documents obtained by CNN, the site includes barracks-style housing and administration offices that are “designed to support sustained operations and U.S. military personnel.”
An Ecuadorian official familiar with the plans explained, “The expectation is that these will be eventually occupied by U.S. troops.” The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the speed of construction reflects Ecuador’s hope that international help will arrive very soon.
In addition to housing and office space, the government is building a 150-meter pier and expanding the existing port by more than 700 square meters. The U.S. has played a visible role in the process. A representative from the United States was reportedly present at the signing of the agreement between Ecuador’s Defense Ministry and Manta’s port authority.
Architectural renderings from the project include the logo of the U.S. State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement bureau (INL) and the project name “Equipped Containers for the Ecuador’s Antinarcotics Special Unit and the DEA.” One design even refers to the dock as a “Southcom Floating Dock,” a reference to the United States Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Latin America.
These details show that the military base in Manta is not a symbolic gesture. It is being built for a specific purpose, and that purpose involves direct collaboration between Ecuador and the U.S. military.
A President Asking for Global Support
President Daniel Noboa has not tried to hide his plans. Instead, he has gone public with his calls for help from the United States, Brazil, and European countries. In an interview with the BBC, Noboa said he wants these nations to join Ecuador in its war against gangs. He called the criminal groups “international narco-terrorist” organizations and said that Ecuador needs the “help of international forces.”
In another interview on local radio, Noboa explained, “We have a plan in place with our law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the armed forces, the Strategic Intelligence Center, and international assistance and support from special forces. That’s essential.”
He also made it clear that the help he is asking for is not just political or financial. He wants foreign boots on the ground. His administration is “already in talks” to receive military support in provinces like Guayas, which are suffering from high levels of crime and violence. While he has not named all the countries involved, it is clear that the United States is at the top of the list.
Noboa is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida this weekend to discuss several issues, including immigration, trade, and what the Ecuadorian government describes as “security cooperation.”
U.S. Funds and Strategic Interests
The United States has already given Ecuador a significant amount of financial support. Since 2018, the U.S. State Department has provided $81 million to help the country fight drug trafficking and organized crime. Recently, several projects that had been delayed due to political issues are now moving forward under the Trump administration. These include construction of the pier and a base linked to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
On March 26, the Ecuadorian government confirmed that these U.S.-backed investments are now resuming. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being allocated for military infrastructure in the fight against gangs.
James Hewitt, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said, “President Trump is firmly committed to strengthening bilateral security cooperation with Ecuador, including through the recent agreement in Manta.” He added that the U.S. is “considering expanding our combined efforts against transnational criminal organizations.”
Noboa is also asking the U.S. to officially label Ecuador’s most dangerous gangs as terrorist groups, just as it has done for other organized crime groups in Latin America. If the Trump administration agrees, it could give the U.S. the legal power to take stronger action, including military involvement, in support of Ecuador’s government.
Ecuador’s Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo put it plainly: “When troops from another country come, they bring resources. And those are what we need the most.”
A Country in Crisis
Ecuador is experiencing record-breaking violence. According to InSight Crime, the country now has the highest homicide rate in Latin America. In the first few months of 2025 alone, more than 1,000 homicides have been reported.
Much of the violence is connected to drug trafficking. Ecuador sits between Colombia and Peru, the world’s top producers of cocaine. Its deep-water ports and dollar-based economy make it an ideal transit point for drug shipments heading to the United States and Europe.
But the violence is not just about geography. Corruption and weak institutions have allowed criminal groups to take control. James Bargent of InSight Crime explained, “Corruption is rampant from low-level police to the upper echelons of political power, and this facilitates trafficking and provides protection to the criminal groups involved.”
One gang member interviewed by CNN admitted to bribing police regularly. “Of course we pay them,” he said. “Ecuadorian police are cheap.” These bribes provide tip-offs about raids, protection from arrests, and freedom to move drugs and weapons.
In cities like Guayaquil and Durán, police and military forces are conducting nightly raids. CNN reporters embedded with security forces saw stash houses destroyed, suspects arrested, and scenes of torture uncovered. Despite these operations, many officials admit the violence is not going away. It is simply being managed.
A Bigger Role for the U.S.?
Ecuador’s outreach to the U.S. may also reflect a shift in Washington’s view of Latin America. While the region has seen growing investment and influence from China, Ecuador is showing that it wants a stronger relationship with the United States. Noboa even stated, “We’re one of the few countries where cooperation programs are being resumed. We are working on security, on providing jobs so that people don’t leave. And the U.S. has honored that relationship.”
His position is very different from that of other Latin American leaders. For example, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly rejected the idea of allowing foreign troops into her country to fight cartels. Noboa, on the other hand, is welcoming them.
In January, he and his wife attended Trump’s presidential inauguration, where they applauded as Trump promised to crush the drug cartels and restore law and order.
Noboa has also gone further by partnering with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military company once known as Blackwater. This company, which became infamous during the Iraq War, has been criticized for its role in several violent incidents. Still, Noboa defended the partnership. “They’re helping with training in urban warfare and bringing new technology,” he said. “They’ve operated in a dozen countries, including the U.S.”
Ecuador is preparing for the arrival of U.S. troops. It is building bases, signing agreements, and asking for stronger military partnerships. Whether the U.S. will fully commit troops is still unclear, but the groundwork is being laid.
As the presidential runoff approaches on April 13, Ecuador’s future direction could change. Noboa’s opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, is against the presence of foreign troops. If she wins, the plans may be reversed. But for now, Ecuador is showing the world that it is ready to work with the United States to fight back against gangs and organized crime.
This growing alliance may also signal a shift in U.S. foreign policy. As China expands its influence in Latin America, the United States may be looking to reinforce its partnerships in the region. Ecuador, once seen as an island of peace, could become a key battleground in both the war on drugs and the global competition for influence.
ACZ Edtior: This does not seem to be much about China, but we are seeing signals of a shift in policy. And very happy about it.