A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has brought to light allegations of severe human rights violations during joint US-Ecuador counter-narcotics operations. The report outlines four incidents that highlight a troubling pattern of aggression against Ecuadorian individuals and vessels. These actions are attributed to an intensified campaign against drug trafficking, led by the United States in partnership with Ecuador. The full details of the HRW report can be found here.
The report begins with the events of March 2026, when Ecuadorian soldiers allegedly detained and tortured four men on a farm in San Martín. Properties were destroyed, some by air-dropped munitions, while the men were taken to a military facility but later released. Both US and Ecuadorian authorities justified the actions as part of Operation “Total Extermination,” aimed at dismantling the Comandos de la Frontera (CDF) drug trafficking group.
This operation coincides with Ecuador’s stronger stance against narcotics, emphasized by President Daniel Noboa’s administration. Efforts to eradicate criminal activities have intensified, led by top figures like Minister of National Defense Gian Carlo Loffredo and the head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces Henry Delgado Salvador. More on Ecuador’s strategy is explored in-depth by analysts observing the regional policies.
Another disturbing incident detailed in the HRW report involved the disappearance of the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Fiorella in January 2026. The vessel, after entering international waters, was reportedly monitored by craft with US markings. Distress signals were sent before a large column of smoke was seen; eight out of ten crew members went missing. US officials have denied involvement in this incident, maintaining their stance against such allegations.
Further complicating the narrative are the cases of La Negra Francisco Duarte II and Don Maca. Survivor accounts from March describe drone strikes followed by their capture by forces with apparent US association. They were subsequently transferred to Salvadorian custody. Questions have been raised regarding the legality and oversight of these operations, linked by some observers to the US Department of Defense’s Operation Southern Spear, known for using airstrikes against suspected narcotics smugglers. This operation, detailed elsewhere, has primarily targeted countries like Mexico and Colombia, calling into question its expansion to Ecuador.
The actions documented by HRW underscore the ongoing complexities and human rights concerns intertwined with aggressive counter-narcotics strategies. As debates continue around the ethical implications and operational transparency of such interventions, the need for a balanced approach respecting both security and human rights remains ever critical.