QUITO - The United States has officially opened its first Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in Ecuador, the U.S. Embassy in Quito announced on Wednesday. The embassy said the new presence will focus on supporting Ecuadorian authorities in countering the trafficking of drugs and weapons, and on addressing money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Interior Minister John Reimber told reporters that cooperation with the FBI office will commence at once, building on previous joint efforts with U.S. agencies. "What has changed is that we have FBI agents permanently in Ecuador working with a national police unit that has been set up so that they can work together," he said.
The establishment of a permanent FBI presence follows recent operational collaboration between U.S. and Ecuadorian officials. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has made a military crackdown on organized crime a central element of his administration's policy platform. Authorities last week carried out a joint operation with U.S. officials aimed at targeting drug trafficking networks operating within the country.
The embassy statement framed the new office as an instrument of ongoing cooperation with local counterparts on criminal investigations tied to illicit drugs, illicit arms flows, and financial crimes that can fund terrorism. The Interior Minister's remarks highlighted that the immediate phase of collaboration will integrate FBI personnel with a national police unit established to facilitate joint activity.
Details in the announcement focused on the intended operational areas of the office rather than on specific investigative tactics or timelines. The public information provided confirms the permanent stationing of FBI agents in Ecuador and signals a continuation and formalization of existing bilateral efforts to address organized crime and related financial offenses.
Context and scope
The public statements by the U.S. Embassy and Ecuador's Interior Minister emphasize that the new office is designed to operate alongside Ecuadorian law enforcement, with an immediate start to collaboration. The government of President Noboa has recently pursued joint operations with U.S. counterparts as part of a broader focus on combating organized criminal activity.
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"What has changed is that we have FBI agents permanently in Ecuador working with a national police unit that has been set up so that they can work together," Interior Minister John Reimber said.