Reports of U.S. Air Force personnel deploying to Ecuador's Manta Air Base

Reports indicate that U.S. Air Force personnel may be deploying to Ecuador"s Manta Air Base for anti-drug cartel operations. However, as of December 17, 2025, no credible sources have confirmed such a deployment.

In November 2025, Ecuadorian voters rejected a referendum proposal that aimed to lift the constitutional ban on foreign military bases. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Quito has not announced any "temporary joint-operation" involving Air Force personnel at Manta.

For more context on U.S.-Ecuador relations regarding drug trafficking, see recent developments in operations to dismantle drug trafficking routes.