The United States has established its first Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Ecuador, according to an announcement Wednesday. The new office is intended to strengthen cooperation with Ecuadorian authorities on investigations involving drug and weapons trafficking, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism.
Ecuador’s interior minister, John Reimberg, said the key change is the permanent presence of FBI agents working directly with a newly formed unit within Ecuador’s national police.
The move comes as Daniel Noboa, Ecuador’s president, continues a military-backed campaign against organized crime that has become a central focus of his administration. Ecuadorian authorities recently carried out a joint operation with U.S. officials targeting drug trafficking networks operating inside the country.
In a statement posted on X, the U.S. embassy said the opening of the office marks “another strategic and operational milestone in security.” Acting Chargé d’Affaires Lawrence Petroni said the agreement and creation of a trusted FBI unit will expand the ability of U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities to “identify, dismantle, and bring to justice those who traffic drugs, launder money, smuggle weapons, and finance terrorism.”
