Ecuador, US unveil 'Shield of the Americas' military-intel pact against drug cartels

Ecuador and the US have announced a joint military and intelligence cooperation framework, 'Shield of the Americas,' aimed at combating drug trafficking and reclaiming territory from criminal groups. The initiative signals a deepening of security ties and a shift toward more direct military involvement in counternarcotics operations. Details on scope and funding remain unclear, but the move could escalate regional security dynamics.