\n<\/p>\n
QUITO, Ecuador — <\/span>Ecuador will launch a major offensive against criminal organizations in three western provinces this weekend with logistical support from the United States, the interior minister said Wednesday.<\/p>\n Speaking to a local radio station, Interior Minister John Reimberg<\/a> urged citizens to observe an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew from March 15-30 in the provinces of Guayas, Los R\u00edos and Santo Domingo de los Ts\u00e1chilas \u2014 three of the most violent in the South American country<\/a>.<\/p>\n Residents under curfew need to stay in their homes and keep the roads clear to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not want collateral victims from the attacks we are about to launch,\u201d Reimberg said. \u201cWe have significant support from U.S. forces for the operations we are about to carry out.”<\/p>\n The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press.<\/p>\n Asked for a comment Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Southern Command only reiterated the comments offered by Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan following the March 3 strikes: “We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.\u201d<\/p>\n The announcement came days after Ecuador and the U.S. began joint military operations<\/a> against organized crime groups in the South American country, although at the time neither government gave details of the location and scope of the operation.<\/p>\n The attacks against violent criminal groups are aimed at \u201cdestroying what they have built in various parts of the country,\u201d Reimberg said, although he declined to provide specific details, citing security concerns.<\/p>\n Later Wednesday, Ecuador and the U.S. announced an agreement to establish the first-ever FBI office in Ecuador, a move described by U.S. Embassy Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Lawrence Petroni as \u201ca very important milestone\u201d in strengthening the operational bond between the FBI and Ecuadorian police. <\/p>\n The FBI office will start operations inside the U.S. Embassy in Quito, according to the police. Vice President Mar\u00eda Jos\u00e9 Pinto praised the initiative as essential for \u201cbetter investigating and understanding criminal threats.”<\/p>\n Since early 2021, Ecuador has faced a relentless offensive by organized crime groups which, according to police, maintain close ties with drug trafficking cartels in Colombia and Mexico.<\/p>\n Ecuador is considered a logistical hub for drug trafficking, serving as a staging and distribution point for narcotics entering the country \u2014 primarily from Colombia, though shipments also arrive from Peru. According to authorities, these illicit shipments are transported from Ecuadorian seaports to Central America, the United States and Europe, among other destinations. ___<\/p>\n Follow AP\u2019s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/latin-america<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n