Ecuador Launches Major Nighttime Operations Against Organized Crime with International Support

Ecuador is deploying 35,000 police and military personnel to combat organized crime in four provinces, starting from 11 PM local time on Sunday for a period of 15 days. This initiative, part of President Daniel Noboa's declared war on 'narcoterrorism,' aims to weaken criminal groups' logistics and economies. The operations will include specialized police units and the use of drones and helicopters, with checkpoints established to monitor movement during a nighttime curfew. The country faced a record 9,235 homicides in 2025, underscoring the urgency of these measures. International cooperation, particularly with the United States, is a key element of this strategy.

Key Details: • Nighttime curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM starting Sunday. • Operations will last for 15 days across Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Santo Domingo. • Checkpoints will be set up to monitor compliance with curfew. • Violators may face 1 to 3 years in prison without justification. • 8,000 police will operate in the violent Zone 8, including Guayaquil.