Ecuador's President Noboa Says He Would Welcome U.S. Troops to Fight Crime

With the help of the United States, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa stated that his government has managed to reduce the homicide rate in the violent region near the border with Colombia. Official data shows a nearly 35% year-on-year drop in violence in those areas during the first quarter of this year. Noboa is an important ally of Trump Noboa is one of Trump's closest allies in Latin America and has deepened security ties with Washington, while also adopting an equally confrontational approach towards drug cartels in trade and diplomacy. In March, Ecuador carried out military operations using U.S. intelligence to attack groups it classified as terrorists. Ecuador's homicide rate has increased nearly sevenfold since 2019, transforming the country from one of the safest in the region to one of the most violent in the world, with around 50 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The violence is linked to record cocaine production in Colombia, much of which transits through Ecuador on its way to the United States, Europe, and other destinations. Since taking office in 2023, Noboa has declared an internal armed conflict, designating over 20 local criminal groups as terrorist organizations, deploying the Army across the country, and imposing curfews in some areas. Although homicides initially decreased, they later surged to a new record. How does Noboa fight organized crime? Noboa said his approach is closer to that of Colombian President Álvaro Uribe than that of El Salvador's Nayib Bukele. In addition to fighting guerrilla groups, Uribe sought to expand 'democratic security' through military deployment to protect cities and roads. In a November 2025 referendum, voters rejected a package of constitutional reforms proposed by Noboa, which included allowing the return of foreign military bases to Ecuador. When asked if he supported Trump's threats against Iran, Noboa said he prefers to focus on Washington's willingness to confront 'narco-terrorists' in Latin America. Noboa ruled out reinstating fuel subsidies as a response to the recent rise in oil prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa, said he would welcome U.S. troops to help address the 'security crisis' in his country, as long as it does not mean the leadership of the local armed forces. The United States has already helped Ecuador attack criminal gangs with its advanced tracking and intelligence technology, Noboa said in an interview. He noted that it would be a favor of even greater involvement from the administration of President Donald Trump, with whom he shares his concern about combating drug trafficking. 'It is not an invasion, it is not an intruder coming to our country,' Noboa said on Tuesday, speaking from his home overlooking the Guayas River in the port city of Guayaquil, affected by gang violence. 'It is, in fact, an international collaboration against crime.' Noboa said the deployment of U.S. troops could occur as soon as this year. Bukele reduced gang violence by imprisoning tens of thousands of alleged members with little due process. 'It's not just, I would say, a heavy hand, it's a heavy hand with heart' and 'with an economic strategy,' Noboa said. The idea of a greater U.S. presence has already faced political resistance.