The key facts

  • The Taura air base in Ecuador has become a key hub for the US military operation against drug trafficking.
  • The presence of American troops raises questions about legality and sovereignty, despite a referendum against foreign bases.
  • The local population faces restricted access to the base's infrastructure amid rising violence in the region.

A hidden US base in Ecuador

The isolated Taura air base in Ecuador has become a key hub for the expansion of the US military operation against drug trafficking, as confirmed by flight data, satellite imagery, and military documents. Located an hour's drive from the port of Guayaquil, the base — surrounded by shrimp farms and teak plantations — has become a centerpiece of President Daniel Noboa's cooperation with Washington, even though less than a year ago Ecuadorians voted against hosting foreign military bases on their territory.

The scale of the presence and legal questions

The AFP agency recorded about 20 US military flights between June and mid-October, including C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft, as well as Black Hawk helicopters and V-22 Osprey tiltrotors. Satellite imagery shows significant construction work: the clearing of several hectares of vegetation, the appearance of new operational zones, the installation of dozens of structures resembling rapidly deployable military tents, and a large hangar measuring 40 by 20 meters. In September, former Ecuadorian Air Force commander Mauricio Salazar warned in a letter that the deployment of American troops and their use of the base's infrastructure could be illegal or unconstitutional, after which he was removed from his post.

Impact on sovereignty and the local population

In September, President Noboa declared his readiness for any type of cooperation with the US at the Taura base, and in August Ecuador's defense minister confirmed the deployment of three Black Hawk helicopters and the use of two MQ-9 Reaper drones. Retired Air Force Colonel Roberto Marchan noted that the observed activity points to preparations for a long-term presence which, in his view, diminishes the country's sovereignty. Local residents living around the base face restricted access to a previously open medical center inside the facility, with authorities citing the state of emergency, while the town of Taura itself continues to experience high levels of cartel-related violence.