Washington – American commandos in recent days have joined the Ecuadorian military in a joint mission aimed at destroying an area suspected of being run by a suspected narco-terrorist organization on the country’s coast.
The project, called Lanza Marina, focused on an area believed to serve as a dock for high-speed boats Los Chonerosa powerful Ecuadorian criminal organization, according to two US officials who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The two US officials said the US military is working in advisory, assisting and accompanying roles. Ecuadorian partners as they argue the site is part of a broader effort to curb smuggling networks that rely on fast-moving sea routes.
The US Southern Command did not immediately respond to CBS News’ request for comment.
The Department of Defense has historically used several authorities such as security cooperation agreements and training and equipping programs to allow US special operations forces to support foreign forces. For example, “Echo 127 devices,” which refer to 10 USC § 127e, are common. 127e is the legal authority that allows the US military to support foreign forces in the fight against terrorism. Although these types of missions are overseen by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Conflict, the secretary of defense has historically had to approve these missions and sign congressional notifications, according to documents obtained by The New York Times.
CBS News exclusively report last year when President Trump rolled back restrictions on US commanders to authorize airstrikes and special attacks outside conventional battlefields, he increased the number of people who could be targeted. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the CBS News report was accurate.
In early March, the United States and Ecuador were introduced joint military operations against “designated terrorist organizations” in the South American country within one side of the US military strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific accused by the Trump administration of drug trafficking. Strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats began in September 2025 and resulted in at least 47 strikes and the death of at least 163 people.
“We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian military for their unwavering commitment to this war, showing courage and determination in the ongoing fight against narco-terrorists in their country,” said Marine General Francis Donovan, commander of the US Southern Command in a statement last month.
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Last year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Los Choneros was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated International Terrorist Organization.
The first designation, issued by the State Department, weighs in on criminal law and national security doctrine and immigration implications. In contrast, the second term, which is managed by the Ministry of Finance, is based on financial wars that direct the means of economic assistance to organizations and individuals.
For decades, Los Choneros have had a huge influence in the country increasing violencefrom a regional gang to a vast international network.
Founded in the 1990s, the group adopts a more decentralized structure that resembles a franchise rather than a traditional regime, according to the National Counter Terrorism Center. Discordant groups operated under its own name, allowing the organization to expand and adapt as authorities directed its leadership.
Beyond the country’s borders, Los Choneros have established relationships with powerful international networks, including Mexico. The Sinaloa cartel and criminal gangs from Albania, enabling it to play a role in global drug trafficking routes. The National Center for Combating Terrorism estimates that the organization has approximately 12,000 members and while it operates in Manabi, Ecuador, they are also present in at least 10 other states of Ecuador as well as Colombia and Peru.
