On March 18, during the third day of a curfew in the province of Los Ríos, Ecuador, the Armed Forces conducted operations to disable a clandestine runway linked to narcoterrorism. Minister of Defense Gian Carlo Loffredo supervised the operation, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation during the curfew to successfully carry out these missions. In a video statement, he acknowledged the respect shown by citizens for the curfew, which has allowed for these critical military interventions.

Loffredo stated that the operations are part of a broader strategy to confront drug-related crime and are intended to dismantle infrastructures used by criminal organizations. The minister also encouraged citizens to report illicit activities related to organized crime by providing a phone number for tips. This operation follows a similar intervention conducted just days earlier, where another clandestine runway was disabled in the Guayas canton, illustrating a sustained effort by the Ecuadorian government to control narcoterrorism in the region.

The context of these operations highlights the challenges faced by Ecuador in combating drug trafficking and violence associated with criminal gangs, particularly during states of emergency like curfews. Such measures aim not only to dismantle criminal infrastructures but also to restore public safety and trust in governmental efforts to combat organized crime. The ongoing operations signal a determined approach by the Ecuadorian authorities to tackle the pervasive issue of drug-related violence and its implications for national security.