Ecuador Plans Joint Military Operations with Colombia's Incoming Government

Ecuador and the incoming Colombian government of Abelardo de la Espriella will launch joint military operations against organized crime and drug trafficking along their shared border starting on August 7, the first day of the new administration, according to Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg. Source: larepublicaco

Planned Operations

Reimberg stated that Ecuador's forces are ready and that operations will begin immediately. "Van a iniciarse los ataques desde el día número uno," he said. Source: Infobae The minister emphasized a forceful approach: "Hay que entrar con fuerza, con determinación." Source: Infobae The collaboration follows conversations between President Daniel Noboa and De la Espriella's team.

Political Context

Reimberg criticized the outgoing government of Gustavo Petro, claiming that under Petro, Colombia left "puertas abiertas" to drug trafficking and terrorism. Source: Infobae This announcement comes after a trade war between Ecuador and Colombia, which ended with intervention from the Andean Community (CAN). Noboa attributed the resolution to an agreement with De la Espriella. Source: Infobae

Approximately eight Colombian armed groups and 11 Ecuadorian criminal gangs operate along the border, engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering, and illegal mining. Source: larepublicaco