1172 U.S. Military Land Strikes on Cartels Is Worse Than We All Think

7 Mar 2026The US military, in collaboration with Ecuadorian forces, launched its first confirmed land strikes against narco-terrorist groups in Ecuador on 6 March. This escalation, part of Operation Southern Spear, marks a significant shift in the fight against cartels, which have been redesignated as terrorist organisations. The operation, supported by US intelligence and logistics, aims to dismantle entrenched networks and disrupt the flow of drugs and violence fuelled by these groups.The US is collaborating with Ecuador to combat drug cartels, utilising advanced technology like drones, signals intelligence, and the Lamprey underwater surveillance system. This partnership aims to dismantle the cartels’ logistics and deter other criminal organisations through a combination of military might and strategic manoeuvring. The success of this approach in Ecuador could inspire similar operations in other countries, potentially reshaping the fight against cartels.