The UK and Ecuador are working side by side to stop cocaine flooding the streets of Europe, Minister for Latin America Chris Elmore confirmed as he begins his first visit to the country, News Cover reports, citing the UK government.
The majority of the UK’s cocaine transits through ports in Ecuador, and Minister Elmore is in the country to see first-hand the joint work to stop the illegal trade at source – meeting frontline police officers, who have received training and equipment from the UK; and observing canine training for drug interception.
Ecuador saw its deadliest year on record in 2025 due to organised crime, and the UK and Ecuador’s joint work aims to tackle the damaging drug trade to help keep both countries’ streets safe.
As a “platform country” for cocaine produced elsewhere in Latin America, up to 80% of the drugs arriving in Europe come via Ecuador. This threatens both countries’ security, with Ecuadorian communities affected by associated gang violence.
Ecuador is one of the UK’s closest partners in Latin America, and the visit underscores the shared commitment of both nations to protect communities by stopping drugs at source.
Joint action is essential to dismantle criminal networks and prevent illicit flows, and drugs seizures are already increasing thanks in part to the joint work the UK and Ecuador are undertaking.
