US to seek $45 million security funding for Ecuador, Rubio announces

Washington announced on Wednesday that it will seek an additional $45 million in security assistance for Ecuador, alongside a package of military equipment, as the two nations intensify joint efforts to combat drug trafficking. The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Quito, where he highlighted the expanding partnership aimed at disrupting narcotics networks and strengthening Ecuador’s law‑enforcement capabilities.

In conjunction with the funding proposal, Rubio disclosed the imposition of new U.S. sanctions targeting individuals and entities linked to illicit drug operations, and designated a specific group as a terrorist organization under U.S. law. The measures are intended to curtail financial flows supporting trafficking and to deter further criminal activity, signaling a broader U.S. strategy to address regional drug‑related threats through increased resources and coordinated diplomatic pressure.