Quito: The American military carried out a targeted strike Friday against an alleged narco-terror network in Ecuador as part of a joint operation with Ecuadorian forces, according to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

According to Anadolu Agency, SOUTHCOM stated in a message on US social media platform X that the operation was conducted at Ecuador's request and involved 'lethal kinetic operations' against suspected designated terror organizations operating within the country.

The operation underscored the cooperation between the US and Ecuador in combating narco-terrorism in the region, as noted by Donovan. 'I congratulate our joint forces and the Ecuadorian armed forces for the successful operation against narco-terrorists in Ecuador,' Donovan stated. 'This collaborative and decisive action is a strategic success for all nations in the Western Hemisphere committed to disrupting and defeating narco-terrorism.'

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell elaborated that the agency executed the targeted action to dismantle what was described as a narco-terrorist supply complex. 'The War Department is uniting partners across the Western Hemisphere to detect, disrupt and destroy designated terrorist organizations that fuel violence and corruption,' Parnell stated.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also shared a video of the strike on X, expressing gratitude to Ecuador for its cooperation and indicating that further actions could follow. It remains unclear whether there were any casualties resulting from the operation.

The Trump administration has intensified military operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean since September, citing efforts against narcotics trafficking, which has resulted in at least 148 fatalities since the start of these operations.