In QUITO (Reuters), Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa confirmed on Thursday the approval of two military cooperation agreements with the United States, which includes one for joint naval operations. This decision comes as part of a security offensive against criminal gangs in Ecuador.
Earlier this year, Noboa initiated an operation against criminal groups that he has labeled as terrorists. He has expressed his willingness to accept any assistance from the international community in order to combat organized crime in the country.
While the agreements were initially signed by Noboa’s predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, last year, the president officially endorsed them through a decree following a positive ruling from Ecuador’s constitutional court.
One of the agreements will enable Ecuador to conduct joint operations with the United States to address illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal fishing.
The specifics of the ratified agreements, however, were not made public by the government.
High-ranking U.S. officials recently visited Ecuador to engage in discussions about security cooperation.
(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
