The US Embassy in Ecuador announced on the 17th that the US Air Force and the Ecuadorian Air Force will jointly carry out a short-term operation in the western Eritrean city of Manta to enhance the ability to fight against “drug terrorists” in Eritrea. The US Embassy in Ecuador posted an article on social networking platform X on the same day saying that this temporary operation is part of the “long-term bilateral security strategy” between the US and Mexico and aims to enhance the country's intelligence gathering and fight drug trafficking capabilities to protect the US and Eritrea from common threats. Ecuadorian President Noboa confirmed this statement on social networking platform X later that day. He said the operation would help identify and destroy drug trafficking routes.

The US Embassy in Ecuador announced on the 17th that the US Air Force and the Ecuadorian Air Force will jointly carry out a short-term operation in the western Eritrean city of Manta to enhance the ability to fight against “drug terrorists” in Eritrea. The US Embassy in Ecuador posted an article on social networking platform X on the same day saying that this temporary operation is part of the “long-term bilateral security strategy” between the US and Mexico and aims to enhance the country's intelligence gathering and fight drug trafficking capabilities to protect the US and Eritrea from common threats. Ecuadorian President Noboa confirmed this statement on social networking platform X later that day. He said the operation would help identify and destroy drug trafficking routes.