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🇪🇨 Ecuador /Conflict & Security

Ecuador Raises 2026 Total to 21 Illegal Airstrips Neutralized

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Ecuador’s Air Force said military personnel intervened in an unauthorized airstrip in Chanduy, Santa Elena province, bringing the 2026 total to 21.
  • The La Curva strip measured 500 meters long and 20 meters wide and was identified through aerial intelligence and surveillance.
  • Authorities did not disclose how the strip was physically disabled, and reported no arrests or seizures.

Ecuador’s military has neutralized its 21st illegal airstrip of 2026 after detecting and intervening in an unauthorized landing corridor in the coastal area of Chanduy.

The Ecuadorian Air Force said the latest operation took place in Santa Elena province through coordination among several state institutions. The operation formed part of continuing surveillance of unregulated aviation sites across the country.

Aerial intelligence led authorities to a property known as La Curva. Reconnaissance identified a prepared surface that was presumably being used by unauthorized flights and aircraft in the peninsula’s rural coastal zone.

During the field inspection, military personnel found a strip measuring 500 meters long and 20 meters wide. The dimensions allowed aircraft to maneuver and taxi before the site was neutralized.

The armed forces did not specify the technical method used to disable the strip. They also reported no arrests or seizures of evidence or illicit material during the operation.

About this summary

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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