The Pentagon has initiated plans to fund a naval training facility in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, according to two U.S. officials. The project is intended to bolster security cooperation between the United States and Ecuador, specifically targeting the influence of drug cartels operating within the country and across South America.

To facilitate the construction and development of this site, the U.S. government has awarded a contract to Culmen International, a Virginia-based firm. While specific details regarding the total cost and the timeline for completion have not been fully disclosed, the move represents a significant step in the U.S. strategy to increase its military and security footprint in the region. This partnership comes amid rising concerns regarding the stability of the Andean nation and the increasing reach of transnational criminal organizations. The initiative is framed by U.S. officials as a necessary measure to support local law enforcement and naval capabilities in their efforts to disrupt illicit maritime activities.