Ecuador to deploy US MQ-9 Reaper drones against drug trafficking on Colombia border

Ecuador announced it will operate two US-supplied MQ-9 Reaper drones for surveillance and precision strikes along its 732 km border with Colombia, escalating its counter-narcotics campaign. This marks a significant expansion of US military assistance to Ecuador, which previously lacked armed drone capability. The move signals deeper US security cooperation in the region and may alter cross-border dynamics with Colombia, though operational details and rules of engagement remain unclear.