Secretary of State Rubio has hailed Ecuador as the US's 'most involved and aggressive partner' in the anti-drug fight.

The trip comes a day after U.S. forces intercepted and sank another Ecuadorian vessel that Washington accuses of links to a criminal group.

El alto funcionario estará este miércoles en Quito para reunirse con el mandatario Daniel Noboa y pasar revista a los acuerdos conjuntos.