United News of Bangladesh

The Trump administration has launched a joint military operation with Ecuador targeting what it calls “designated terrorist organizations,” opening a new front in its expanding anti-narcotics campaign in Latin America. US Southern Command said Ecuadorian and American forces began operations on March 3, reports Al Jazeera. General Francis Donovan described the move as a demonstration of regional commitment to combating “narco-terrorism.” Video released by the US military showed helicopters taking off and aerial surveillance footage. US officials indicated the operation is currently limited to logistical and intelligence support for Ecuadorian troops. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two countries were taking “decisive action” against criminal networks blamed for violence across the hemisphere. President Donald Trump has increasingly labeled major drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” and adopted a more militarized strategy, including aerial strikes on suspected smuggling vessels. Critics argue such actions blur the line between law enforcement and acts of war, raising concerns about civilian casualties and violations of international law. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who has pursued a tough “iron fist” approach to crime, welcomed the cooperation, calling it a “new phase” in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal mining.

At least 13 inmates were killed and another two injured in a prison riot on Monday in the Ecuadorean city of Santo Domingo following a fight among inmates in the prison. The National Police, the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Public Health were called to the emergency and the situation was brought under control, the National Comprehensive Care Service for Persons Deprived of Liberty said in a report. The same prison was hit by violence on May 9, resulting in the death of 44 inmates. Read: Earthquake shakes Ecuador’s coast, teen killed by power line The Ecuadorean prison system has been afflicted with a serious crisis due to confrontations between rival drug trafficking gangs. In 2021, the country saw a wave of prison riots that left more than 300 inmates dead. The government has declared a crackdown on drug trafficking. 

An earthquake of preliminary magnitude 5.7 shook Ecuador’s coast Thursday, causing one death when a teenager was electrocuted by a fallen power line, authorities said. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of about 80 kilometers (49 miles) and was centered nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of the port of Guayaquil. Read: Earthquake jolts Dhaka, other areas The Geophysical Institute of Ecuador said the tremor was felt over most of country, though “weakly” in the mountains. Jorge Vera, mayor of the Simón Bolívar canton in the coastal Guayas province, said a 16-year-old was killed. He said a high voltage cable fell while the victim was engaged in “a sports activity,” but gave no further details.

Officials in Ecuador on Saturday confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the South American nation and Mexico reported two more to raise the country's total to four.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen met the Vice Minister for Foreign Trade of Ecuador Diego Caicedo in Quito and discussed ways to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations.

A volcano on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos has begun erupting, spilling lava down its sides toward the sea.

Ecuadorian Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner inaugurated the country's biggest electric charging station for electric cars, taxis and buses in the southwest port city of Guayaquil on Friday.

Quito, OCT 15 (AP/UNB) — Thousands of indigenous demonstrators, student volunteers and local residents launched a mass cleanup Monday of a Quito park where anti-austerity protesters fought police for days, leaving piles of burning tires, trees and construction material.

Quito, OCT 14 Ecuador (AP/UNB) — Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno and leaders of the country's indigenous peoples have struck a deal to cancel a disputed austerity package and end nearly two weeks of protests that have paralyzed the economy and left seven dead.

Quito, Oct. 13 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno declared curfew and militarization of the Metropolitan District of Quito on Saturday after 10 days of anti-government protests.