Daniel Noboa has announced a new phase in the country’s fight against drug trafficking, confirming that Ecuador will conduct joint security operations with the United States.

The initiative comes as Ecuador faces a surge in violence linked to international drug cartels that use the country’s ports to ship cocaine to global markets.

Noboa said the operations will begin in March and involve cooperation with regional allies, including the United States. Discussions were held in Quito with U.S. military officials to improve information sharing and coordination at airports and seaports, key trafficking routes.

About 70 percent of cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru passes through Ecuador, making the country a major transit hub.

To address rising violence, the government also announced a curfew from March 15 to March 30 in four of the country’s most dangerous provinces.

Officials say the crackdown reflects the seriousness of the situation as Ecuador intensifies its battle against organized crime.