Images on social networks show military personnel, heavy machinery and infrastructure work at Taura.
On Wednesday, South American & Global Defense News (SA Defensa) posted images showing that the U.S. Army is carrying out operational and construction activities at Taura Air Base in Ecuador’s Guayas province.
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“This facility belongs to the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) and stands out as the only military base in the South American country with an airstrip exclusively dedicated to combat operations and training,” local outlet Pichincha Communications explained.
The infrastructure work is being carried out by the 8th Combat Logistics Battalion, a unit of the U.S. Marine Corps’ (USMC) Littoral Combat Force-24. The entire operation would reportedly be carried out in coordination with the U.S. Southern Command (SouthCom).
To support these tasks, a Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter from the Marine Corps entered Ecuadorian territory on Sept. 8 as part of a fleet of aircraft intended for tactical transport, assault, and logistical support. Previously, on Aug. 27, three U.S. military flights from bases in Central America had already landed on Ecuadorian soil.
Official photos showing Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, Littoral Combat Force-24, reinforcing the perimeter fencing at Taura Air Base in Ecuador.
This is LCF-24’s first forward operating base in the SOUTHCOM AOR. https://t.co/KE8bQtvOR2 pic.twitter.com/ignBwzg2EX
— LatAmMilMovements (@LatAmMilMVMTs) September 12, 2026
Heavy Machinery and Fencing
SA Defensa images show the work being carried out by foreign military personnel inside the Ecuadorian facility. For example, U.S. military personnel can be seen directly inspecting progress at the site.
Large tractors and backhoes can also be seen clearing vegetation and leveling the surface to enable military aerial activities. U.S. marines are deploying and installing barbed-wire fences along the boundaries of the facility.
But that is not all. The Littoral Combat Force-24 has deployed RQ-20B Puma drones to conduct aerial surveillance in Ecuador.
No Statement from Authorities
So far, Ecuadorian authorities have not addressed the issue or offered explanations regarding the activities recorded at Taura.
“Neither the Foreign Ministry, the Ecuadorian Air Force nor the Ministry of National Defense has issued a statement or formal response regarding the presence and the work of the Marine Corps at the military base,” Pichincha Communications pointed out.
The presence and installation of foreign military infrastructure, however, contravene the Ecuadorian Constitution’s Article 5, which expressly establishes that Ecuador is a territory of peace.
Thereby it prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases and facilities, as well as the transfer of national bases to foreign armed forces.
U.S. activities at Taura also challenge the mandate expressed by citizens at the polls. In the Nov. 16, 2025, referendum, President Daniel Noboa promoted a reform to eliminate the Article 5 prohibition. However, 60.58% of Ecuadorians voted “No,” rejecting the installation of foreign military bases.
In strategic coastal provinces such as Manabi and Santa Elena, opposition reached 70.61% and 66.7%, respectively, reaffirming rejection to the presence of foreign military forces in the Andean country.
In addition, the Littoral Combat Force-24 has deployed RQ-20B Puma UAVs to conduct aerial surveillance in Ecuador. https://t.co/k9xsleuOnT pic.twitter.com/5SiNSTD6ke
— SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) September 17, 2026
Shield of the Americas
The work carried out at Taura Air Base is taking place as part of Ecuador’s integration into the Coalition Against the Cartels of the Americas (A3C). Also known as “The Shield of the Americas,” this U.S.-backed continental alliance includes 18 countries, among them Colombia and Peru.
Within this structure, SouthCom formed the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force (JTF-WHEM) to direct regional security operations.
In this context, this week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the delivery of US$45 million to Ecuador to combat organized crime and US$10 million to combat illegal mining and acquire boats and maritime interceptor vessels. The mechanism includes the exchange of intelligence and technology and judicial coordination among allied forces.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: Pichincha Communications – SA Defensa
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