Overview
- U.S. and Ecuadorian officials signed a memorandum of understanding in Quito, inaugurating the FBI’s first formal office in the country.
- Interior Minister John Reimberg said FBI agents will be permanently based in Ecuador to work with a newly structured National Police unit.
- Chargé d’affaires Lawrence Petroni said the partnership aims to identify, dismantle, and prosecute networks involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling, illegal mining, and terrorism financing.
- The U.S. Embassy emphasized the FBI presence will coordinate with, not replace, Ecuadorian authorities in investigations and operations.
- The move formalizes cooperation previously managed from Bogotá and follows recent joint actions against groups such as Los Lobos and Los Choneros, alongside Ecuadorian strikes reported in Sucumbíos.