Here's Some Propaganda. We know they aren't there as drug patrol. They deal drugs

Let me emphasize - I think what the many Ecuadoreans think.
The US wants to control who governs in all of Latin America for purposes of profit.

It isn't complex. But it is immoral.

If they can keep their right wing thug governments in power in places like Columbia, they can do better "Bidness" with them.

This is the same pattern that has been followed in the middle east. Prop up murderous dictators and right wing puppets who stuff their own pockets with billions while robbing the countries they control of their natural resources and leaving the populace in dire poverty.
Really works well.
[...]
Many Ecuadoreans believe the U.S. is trying to draw them more deeply into the Colombian conflict spilling over their borders: Leftist rebels frequently cross into Ecuador, and tens of thousands of Colombian refugees crowd lawless border towns plagued by drug traffickers and child prostitution.

Although U.S. officials deny that Manta's planes spy on leftist rebels in Colombia, they do intercept drug flights and eavesdrop on radio communications there.

"There is a widespread feeling that Washington is carrying out an extensive, mostly security, anti-drug program with Colombia, with little regard for the severe consequences -- growing violence and refugees -- on Ecuador," said Michael Shifter, deputy director of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington.
[...]