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Trump administration launches US military operation in Ecuador
The United States government has announced it is collaborating with Ecuador to combat “terrorists” in the South American country.
On Wednesday, US Southern Command, the military unit overseeing operations in Central and South America, posted that joint efforts had already begun in Ecuador.
“On March 3, Ecuadorian and US military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador,” General Francis Donovan said.
“The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.”
The statement was accompanied by video footage of military helicopters taking off, as well as black-and-white aerial surveillance imagery of figures boarding helicopters on the ground.
The announcement appears to be part of US President Donald Trump’s broader push against criminal networks and drug cartels in Latin America.
The scope of the Ecuadorian operation is not yet known, but several US news outlets have reported that it is so far limited to supporting Ecuadorian troops through logistics and intelligence, citing government sources.
At a Wednesday news briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the joint operation.
“Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere,” she told reporters.
Since taking office for a second term last year, Trump has moved to label multiple prominent cartels as “foreign terrorist organisations”, a term typically reserved for armed groups with political aims.
His administration has paired those labels with an increasingly militaristic approach to combatting drug trafficking, including through the bombing of suspected smuggling vessels.
Critics have pointed out, however, that drug trafficking is considered a crime under international law, not an act of war, and that such lethal actions can be considered extrajudicial killings.
At least 44 aerial strikes have been carried out against alleged drug-smuggling boats and other maritime vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
The result has been 150 known deaths. The identities of the victims have yet to be confirmed by US officials, and no charges against them have been made public.
Two survivors who were recovered from an October attack on a submarine were quickly repatriated to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, where they were subsequently released.
Some families from Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, have claimed that the deceased were fishermen or informal workers transiting between Venezuela and nearby islands, not drug traffickers.
The Trump administration has also launched military actions on Venezuelan soil, one in late December and a second on January 3. In both cases, it justified the strikes as law enforcement actions against drug traffickers.
The first targeted a dock allegedly used by the transnational gang Tren de Aragua. The second culminated in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was subsequently imprisoned and charged with drug trafficking and weapons charges in a US federal court.
That operation was likewise condemned as a violation of international law, with experts at the United Nations warning that it was “part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern” of unprovoked military aggression.
The Trump administration, however, has suggested it plans to expand its military operations against suspected drug traffickers to other land-based targets. The announcement from Ecuador suggests a new front for its military offensive.
Wednesday’s announcement comes two days after General Donovan, the head of the US Southern Command, visited Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and his defence ministers on March 2 in the capital of Quito.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Ecuador has seen a spike in homicides and other violent crimes, as criminal networks make inroads in the country.
Previously, Ecuador had some of the lowest rates of violent crime in the region, earning the country a reputation as an “island of peace” in Latin America.
But experts say the leap can be attributed to a number of factors, including high youth unemployment during the pandemic, economic instability, and a desire to exploit Ecuador’s strategic location on the Pacific coast, between major cocaine producers like Colombia and Peru.
Noboa, a right-wing leader who has been in office since 2023, campaigned for re-election last year on the pledge that he would tamp down on the uptick in crime. He has become closely associated with the “mano dura” or “iron fist” approach to law enforcement.
Trump too has encouraged Latin American leaders to be more aggressive in their handling of criminal networks, and both Noboa and Trump have threatened Colombia, led by left-wing leader Gustavo Petro, for allegedly failing to comply.
On March 1, for instance, Noboa plans to raise tariffs on Colombian imports to 50 percent as punishment for failing to crack down on cocaine trafficking.
On Wednesday, General Donovan praised the Ecuadorian military for their “unwavering commitment” to the fight “against narco-terrorists in their country”.
“Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere,” he said in a statement.
President Noboa, who has hosted Trump administration officials like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem multiple times over the past year, also welcomed the increased collaboration.
“We are beginning a new phase in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal mining,” Noboa wrote on social media on March 2.
“The security of Ecuadorians is our priority, and we will fight for peace in every corner of the country. To achieve this peace, we must act decisively against criminals, wherever they may be.”
Still, critics responded to Wednesday’s announcement with scepticism and alarm about the increasing US military operations overseas.
Brian Finucane, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group think tank, wrote on social media that the US has yet to clarify what its role in the joint operations was and what its targets were.
“My sense is that some in the administration have been itching to put US military boots on the ground somewhere for an operation against ‘narco-terrorists’ and then publicly brag about it,” Finucane said.
“Ecuador was more amenable than, say, Mexico.”
[Aljazeera]
Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been cleared to host IPL 2026 after a government-appointed Expert Committee approved the venue for use on Monday.
The immediate implication is that Chinnaswamy – scheduled to host the season opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 – will also stage one playoff game and the final, in keeping with the tradition of the defending champions hosting the title clash.
A committee, appointed by Karnataka’s home minister G Parameshwara, conducted a thorough review of the stadium premises on Friday. The day-long audit involved several checks for structural compliance as well as measures taken to enhance crowd control around the venue.
On Monday, the final nod was given following a meeting between the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) officials, RCB’s top brass as well as members of the expert committee, chaired by G Maheshwar Rao.
The Chinnaswamy will host five RCB home games, while two others will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium in Raipur, as per a pre-arranged agreement between the franchise and the Chhattisgarh government.
RCB has committed to engaging with KSCA to roll out digital QR coded tickets as one of several measures to tackle overcrowding around the venue. They have also partnered with the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) to ensure hassle-free travel.
The metro services will be extended until 1am on match days, while ticketing formalities are being worked out. It’s likely those with match tickets can travel free of cost. BMRCL is also likely to increase frequency of trains on all routes to prevent overcrowding.
As for structural measures, the KSCA have increased the number of entry points by constructing six new gates around the Chinnaswamy, while widening existing entry gates. The old NCA premises had also been equipped with ramps and tarpaulin sheets to become a holding area for fans, as they make their way towards their respective stands.
The Bengaluru police and the KSCA are working to ensure Cubbon Road – which runs alongside the main entrance of the venue – will be cleared for vehicular movement at specific intervals on match days.
The IPL has announced the schedule only for the first two weeks of the competition in 2026. In the first leg, KSCA will host one more game (apart from the opener)on April 5, involving RCB and Chennai Super Kings.
Chinnaswamy last hosted a competitive fixture during IPL 2025. Since then, the venue has been mired in controversy following the death of 11 fans during RCB’s victory celebrations on June 3.
All of KSCA’s structural changes to comply with short-term measures recommended by the expert committee have happened in two months, following the December elections where Venkatesh Prasad, the former India fast bowler, assumed office after winning a tense election.
The stadium will now officially be handed over to the IPL franchise and their event management partners, DNA Entertainment. RCB are yet to announce sale of tickets officially. That process is expected to begin later this week.
[Cricinfo]
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A new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly and to regulate preschools through a regulatory authority.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing an awareness programme for preschool teachers in the Hambantota District on education reforms, held on Sunday (15) at the Ambalantota Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium.
During the programme, preschool teachers briefed the Prime Minister about the challenges they currently face. Responding to their concerns, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
“The issues within the preschool system cannot be discussed separately from the broader crisis in society and in the education sector. When we assumed office in 2024, our primary challenge was to free the country from its debt burden and to establish. a sound economic indicators.
Although 2025 was a challenging year, we were able to bring the country’s economy to a certain level of stability and manage the national budget accordingly.
While we were working towards economic recovery, the war in the Middle East began, which has had certain impacts on our country as well.
A significant amount of Sri Lanka’s foreign remittances come from our fellow citizens working in the Middle East. Today, both their livelihoods and employment are under threat. In addition, a large number of tourists travelled to Sri Lanka through Middle Eastern airspace, and the closure of those air routes and airports has reduced tourist arrivals. Another issue concerns fuel transportation. This problem has affected not only Sri Lanka but many countries around the world. If the war continues for a long period, it will have further impacts on us, and therefore we must be prepared. We also need to manage the economy carefully and reduce certain expenditures.
Although we have the ability to borrow, our intention is not to weaken the country’s economy by relying on loans.
You are aware that we have begun implementing education reforms. Within that policy framework, we are also taking steps to reform preschool education. So far, the establishment of preschools and early childhood development has not been carried out in a systematic manner. Therefore, we must regulate and standardize all preschools, which is not an easy task.
First, all preschools must be formally registered. We have already prepared a curriculum for teacher training. In addition, we plan to introduce a new curriculum for preschools in 2027, provide teacher training accordingly, and regulate preschools through a regulatory authority. A recognized curriculum has also been prepared for the preschool diploma. In the future, priority for preschool teachers will be given based on these qualifications. We will also take gradual steps to enhance the professionalism of preschool teachers and establish a proper salary structure”.
The Prime Minister further stated that preschools fall under the authority of Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas, while the line ministry can only provide policy recommendations. She also emphasized that issues related to preschools should be addressed in a systematic manner through structural committees and District Development Committees.
Member of Parliament Nihal Galappaththi and other public representatives, along with preschool teachers from the Hambantota District attended the awareness program.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 15 March 2026, valid for 16 March 2026.
The public is warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at
some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
Chinnaswamy stadium receives government clearance to host IPL 2026 final
Tanzid 107, Taskin four-for trump Agha 106 to give Bangladesh series
A new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly – PM
Be mindful of the accuracy of information before sharing it on social media – PM
Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts
Showers expected at several places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western, Eastern and Uva provinces after 2.00 pm.
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