Ecuador’s President requested increased logistical, financial, and intellectual assistance from U.S. and European countries to combat transnational drug-trafficking, a lucrative industry generating 30 billion dollars annually that has escalated violence in the Andean nation.
Speaking in New York, President Daniel Noboa highlighted the urgent need for international assistance to combat a criminal enterprise that generates approximately 30 billion dollars annually and has significantly heightened violence in Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian President’s plea comes amidst a backdrop of surging armed violence, fueled by the infiltration of international criminal structures and institutional crises that have plagued Noboa’s administration.
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President Noboa emphasized that Ecuador’s strategic geographical location and dollarized economy have made it a critical hub for organized crime networks. He noted that approximately 1.200 tons of cocaine are trafficked annually through his country’s port infrastructure, with nearly 80% destined for U.S. and European markets.
The intense rivalry among drug cartels for control over coastal regions and export corridors has led to a sevenfold increase in the homicide rate since 2019. In response, the Ecuadorian government has declared a state of “internal armed conflict,” classifying over 20 local gangs as terrorist organizations under permanent military deployment.
⚫️ Noboa aparece junto a líderes de la región en el Shield of the Americas
Durante la Asamblea General de la ONU, Daniel Noboa compartió un encuentro con líderes latinoamericanos frente al letrero de Shield of the Americas, entre ellos Javier Milei, Santiago Peña, José Antonio… pic.twitter.com/qfQocWsWFq
— ® Urgencia Ec (@UrgenciaEcu) September 22, 2026
Text reads: “Noboa appears alongside regional leaders in the Shield of the Americas. During the UN General Assembly, Daniel Noboa shared a meeting with Latin American leaders in front of the Shield of the Americas sign, including Javier Milei, Santiago Peña, José Antonio Kast and Keiko Fujimori.”
Despite strengthening defense ties with Washington and the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Quito, Noboa assured that Ecuadorian security forces will retain strategic command over all operations within the country. However, his government has already authorized the extensive use of U.S. intelligence and investments in key installations, such as the Taura Air Base. Noboa reiterated that his country would never grant a “blank check” to any foreign nation, emphasizing that control over operations remains exclusively with Ecuador’s armed forces and police.
Parallel to his security requests, Noboa is seeking external financing for the extractive sector to bolster public finances. He promotes opening to private and international capital, including consortia from the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates, such as ADNOC and Petromal, to boost oil production in the Sacha field from 73,000 to over 150,000 barrels per day.
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