Overview
- About 10,000 soldiers are operating in Guayas, Manabí and Los Ríos, with the military high command now based in Guayaquil.
- The Defense Ministry says the operation pursues reserved objectives in sectors prioritized through military intelligence analysis.
- Authorities outline weapons, munitions and explosives controls plus expanded surveillance and reconnaissance, including port inspections in Guayaquil.
- A state of exception has been in effect since December across nine provinces, enabling broader security powers that curb some civil rights.
- The escalation follows more than 9,000 killings in 2025 and a grisly start to 2026 that authorities attribute to gang disputes over drug‑trafficking territory.