Ecuador detains two Mexicans allegedly linked to Jalisco New Generation Cartel

Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg announced the capture of two Mexican citizens allegedly connected to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The arrests were made during coordinated operations early Wednesday morning, which also resulted in the seizure of drugs and over $1 million in cash.

Authorities conducted twenty raids across the provinces of Guayas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and El Oro. These operations led to 24 arrests, the impoundment of 20 vehicles, the disabling of two clandestine airstrips, and the confiscation of one aircraft. Additionally, authorities seized approximately one ton of unspecified drugs, 15 firearms including rifles and pistols, 200 rounds of ammunition, bulletproof vests, and aircraft fuel.

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In this case, two Mexicans linked to the Jalisco New Generation cartel were arrested, who were operating with the (criminal) structure of Los Lobos for drug trafficking through Ecuador, using clandestine airstrips and airplanes towards North America.

"Two Mexicans linked to the Jalisco New Generation cartel were arrested in this case, who were operating with the (criminal) structure of Los Lobos for drug trafficking through Ecuador, using clandestine airstrips and airplanes towards North America," Reimberg stated on social media. He highlighted the collaboration with various U.S. agencies, calling the operation a "major blow to these criminal structures."

In a separate operation, dubbed "Jericó," conducted after a year of investigation, 22 individuals were arrested, and 1.5 tons of unspecified drugs were seized following 16 raids in Guayas, Los Ríos, and Esmeraldas provinces. These operations involved 300 members of the National Police and 36 prosecutors. Ecuador has been under a state of "internal armed conflict" since 2024, declared by President Daniel Noboa to intensify the fight against criminal gangs, which he has designated as "terrorists." Despite these measures, 2025 ended with a record number of homicides in Ecuador, estimated at around 9,300.

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This is a coordinated effort with various U.S. agencies and a major blow to these criminal structures.