US launches military operations in Ecuador

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

03/03/2026 10:50 PM EST


U.S. forces have launched military operations with Ecuador against “designated terrorist organizations” inside the South American country, Southern Command said Tuesday.

The military released no details on the operations but suggested in a statement that it was an extension of strikes carried out by the Trump administration against suspected drug trafficking organizations in the region.

“We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country,” said Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command.

Since President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. has taken aggressive steps to curb the flow of drugs from the Southern hemisphere. The administration has conducted about 45 strikes against suspected smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, killing more than 150 people.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/03/us-military-operations-ecuador-00811272

[Pachamama]

1. This is an odd operation

Another distraction?

[walkingman]

2. And how is the helping the American people? Enough of the wars.

[ananda]

10. They get off on it. They love killing and death.

It's also a great distraction...

[lark]

3. WTF?????

Seriously WTF is he doing, looks like he just thinks he rules the world (alongside Vlad and bibi - of course).

[Lovie777]

4. Didn't shithole say as a campaign promise that the USA will not...............

be the police force in the world.

Another lie, but the scary part, shithole/RWers want to rule the world.

[travelingthrulife]

5. More murders. Pretending it's because of drugs again.

This is such a disaster.

All on your heads Republicans.

[doc03]

6. While we are preoccupied in Venezuela, Iran, Ecuador and planning on invading Cuba, wouldn't

this be the perfect time for China to move on Taiwan.

[displacedvermoter]

7. General Mark Hertling was

confident that the professional military traditions and esprit de corps would check Trump's excesses. Glenn Kirschner was confident that the professionalism of career DOJ and FBI personnel would check Trump's excesses. Joe Scarborough was confident that Congress, jealous of its powers and traditions, would check Trump's excesses.

I guess they couldn't all be wrong, could they?

[RainCaster]

8. Operation Epstein Fury 2.0

TSF needed another distraction because Iran wasn't enough.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. They needed a distraction from the horrendous Iran distraction

[milestogo]

11. WTF?!!

[Multichromatic]

12. Don't worry everyone!!!!

We don't need any help starting WWIII we can do it all on our own. USA! USA! USA!

[angrychair]

13. This right here is bonkers

We are literally in the build up to WWIII and we are off picking fights of choice in other countries?!?!

One has to ask if they are doing this on purpose to destroy this country.

WE. ARE. IN. SERIOUS. FUCKING. TROUBLE.

[Solly Mack]

14. ...

[mysteryowl]

15. Malcolm Nance said it best

Paraphrased... this is the display of an insane person.

[Amaryllis]

16. HOw many countries before the military stops following orders? When do these orders become illegal?

[OGBuzz]

18. Hegseth sounded like a 12 year old describing a video game this morning.

He's really getting off on all the death and destruction. I suspect that Trump is too, and the rest of the MAGAt cult.

[Amaryllis]

21. Six year olds playing army with toy soldiers. except I've known six year old with far more sensitivity and ethics.

[llmart]

17. What's next?

Liechtenstein? Yeah, let's do them. Where is it again? I hear they have drugs there.

Makes about as much sense as this deranged idiot's decisions.

[gfarber]

19. Ecuador Strikes

There once was a Tuesday so grim,
With primaries looking quite dim,
But instead of vote counts
Or Trump’s loud mounts,
A raid reel was ready to spin.

A chopper at dawn took to sky,
With soldiers and rotor wash cry,
What mission? Unclear.
Was it victory? Mere
Thirty seconds of “don’t ask us why.”

The Command said, “Decisive!” and bold,
Of narco-terrorists wicked and cold,
Classified deeds,
And partnership creeds—
With objectives conveniently untold.

They toasted Ecuador’s might,
For courage and valor in fight,
While critics at home
Said ethics had flown
Far off in the dead of the night.

A hundred-plus boats met their fate,
In strikes that were labeled “too late,”
No proof in the file,
Just targets by mile—
And lawyers cried, “That’s not the state!”

“Extrajudicial,” they said,
“Civilians can’t lawfully be dead
For crimes they might do,
Or suspicions untrue”—
But the highlight reel rolled on ahead.

Four billion lined pockets with ease,
While speeches invoked overseas
The terror and vice—
A rhetorical spice
That dripped with imperial sleaze.

A comic imagined a sign:
“Enlist for a faraway line—
For paranoid thirst
Put your body in first!”
And wondered who’d finally resign.

© 2026 Glen Farber. All Rights Reserved.

[LT Barclay]

20. This is probably another one about the oil

Oil companies have been trying to run pipelines through indigenous lands in the Andes.
In Trump-speak indigenous groups standing against pipelines would be “terrorists”

[question everything]

22. At this rate we may have to reinstate the draft