Rubio announces $45 million for Ecuador in anti-drug fight

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he will seek an additional $45 million from Congress to strengthen cooperation with Ecuador in the fight against drug cartels.

Rubio made the announcement during a visit to Ecuadorian capital Quito, where he met President Daniel Noboa. The funding would support Ecuador's efforts to combat drug trafficking, while additional US assistance is expected to target illegal mining. Washington will also provide vessels to help strengthen Ecuador's coastguard, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"We do not have a better ally in the region," Rubio said, as the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation against drug trafficking.

Ecuador has emerged as a major transit route for cocaine originating in neighbouring Colombia and Peru, while the country's security situation has deteriorated significantly in recent years.

The United States and Ecuador launched joint military operations targeting drug trafficking in March. Earlier this week, the US military said it had destroyed several boats in the Pacific that were allegedly being used by an Ecuadorian drug cartel as refuelling stations.

According to US Southern Command, people removed from the vessels were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities.

Rubio's visit to Ecuador is part of a regional tour. Before travelling to Quito, he visited Colombia, where he met the country's newly elected president, Abelardo De La Espriella, who is also seeking closer ties with Washington.

Rubio is expected to conclude his tour in Peru, where he is scheduled to meet President Keiko Fujimori.