Biometric data sharing aims to combat transnational crime and streamline immigration processes
On July 31, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa signed a landmark security agreement at Carondelet Palace in Quito, marking a significant advancement in the fight against transnational crime and illegal immigration. This new agreement solidifies Ecuador’s critical role as a strategic partner in the United States’ efforts to address organized crime, human trafficking, and border security challenges. Both countries are now committed to improving coordination on criminal investigations, immigration control, and extradition processes to address these growing threats.
Sharing biometric data for better coordination
At the core of the agreement is a commitment to share biometric data on terrorists, gang members, and other high-priority criminals. This initiative aims to expedite the identification of suspects involved in illegal activities and ensure that they face justice swiftly in both countries. Secretary Noem described the importance of this collaboration, emphasizing that such data-sharing will streamline law enforcement efforts and enhance the fight against dangerous criminal organizations.
The agreement comes shortly after the extradition of Fito, the notorious leader of the Los Choneros gang, to the United States, which Noem lauded as a demonstration of Ecuador’s resolve in tackling organized crime and supporting international efforts to bring criminals to justice.
Immigration cooperation and border security
In addition to the exchange of biometric data, the agreement includes a crucial provision for the exchange of liaison officers between Ecuador and the U.S. These officers, who will serve as intermediaries for information-sharing between the two countries, will facilitate the exchange of intelligence related to criminal activity, border security, and immigration issues.
As part of the initiative, an Ecuadorian police officer will be assigned to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, where they will work directly with U.S. authorities. In return, the U.S. will send a liaison officer to Ecuador, ensuring that both countries are aligned on security matters and are able to respond more effectively to emerging threats.
This collaboration comes at a time when Ecuador has seen a substantial decline in the number of its citizens attempting to cross the U.S. southern border. After more than 227,000 encounters with Ecuadorian migrants in 2024, that number dramatically dropped to just 3,448 to date in 2025, signaling the success of stricter immigration controls and the growing effectiveness of the partnership between the U.S. and Ecuador.
Strengthening the U.S.-Ecuador partnership
Secretary Noem’s visit to Ecuador, which is part of a broader regional tour that also included stops in Argentina and Chile, underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening its security alliances throughout South America. The visit reinforced the shared commitment of both nations to combating a wide range of threats, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and irregular migration.
During her meeting with President Noboa, Noem expressed her appreciation for Ecuador’s proactive stance in the fight against organized crime, particularly highlighting the recent extradition of Fito, which she described as a major success in the ongoing effort to dismantle criminal syndicates.
Additionally, Noem’s visit served to further deepen U.S.-Ecuador relations, with both parties agreeing to prioritize security issues, including intelligence sharing, the management of migrant flows, and enhanced border controls. Noem’s praise for Ecuador’s role in these efforts underscores the importance of the bilateral relationship, especially as both countries face common challenges posed by criminal organizations operating across borders.
In the coming months, both governments are expected to work closely together to implement the provisions of this new agreement. This collaboration promises to enhance not only the security of the two nations but also the broader regional stability in the Americas.
With the continued rise of organized crime, drug cartels, and human trafficking networks, the strengthening of Ecuador’s security ties with the U.S. represents a major step forward in addressing these critical issues and protecting citizens in both countires. As the two countries move forward with these initiatives, their partnership will play a crucial role in shaping the future of security cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.
I am glad they do things with the USA and not China. Decouple from China.