Ecuador and the U.S. strengthen their security cooperation with liaison officers

During the visit of the Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States, Kristi Noem, Ecuador signed a historic agreement establishing the exchange of liaison officers between both countries. The objective is to improve cooperation on security matters and combat common threats.

According to the Minister of the Interior, Jhon Reimberg, the agreement stipulates that a U.S. officer will operate from Ecuador and, in turn, a member of the National Police will be transferred to a Customs and Border Protection office in the U.S., thus strengthening the bilateral information channel.

The Ecuadorian officer will be based at the National Targeting Center, where he will collaborate in areas such as border control, biometric identification, and the fight against organized crime. This represents an unprecedented step in the international coordination of the National Police.

This type of cooperation has already existed between the United States and Mexico for more than two decades. Now, Ecuador joins this strategic line with a renewed focus on preventing human, arms, and narcotics trafficking.

During the signing of the agreement, Noem highlighted the drastic drop in irregular migration from Ecuador to the U.S., falling from 227,000 encounters in 2024 to just 3,448 in 2025. She attributed this change to stricter migration policies and increased border control.

In addition to the exchange of officers, the agreement includes the strengthening of biometric data use, coordination on extraditions, and direct collaboration in criminal investigations. It is a commitment to regional security with a shared vision.

Noem's visit included meetings with President Daniel Noboa and other key ministers. Mechanisms to combat gangs and terrorist groups operating in the region were also discussed, as well as new routes of irregular migration.

This agreement is part of the efficiency plan of the Ecuadorian Government, which seeks to optimize international cooperation without creating new bureaucratic structures. Noboa thus strengthens his foreign policy with a focus on security, migration, and strategic alliances.