Senators on Ecuador drugs trip

A group of five United States senators has held talks in Ecuador with the president, Gustavo Noboa, about the effects of a large anti-drugs offensive in neighbouring Colombia.

The visit comes amid evidence that drug-traffickers and insurgents from Colombia are becoming increasingly active in northern Ecuador, planting illegal crops, engaging in clashes and forcing residents to flee their homes.

The senators, including the Republican, John McCain, said the US was committed to helping Ecuador and that financial aid would be released in the coming weeks.

Later today Wednesday the senators are to visit a military base on the Ecuadorean coast, which is used by the US for anti-narcotics surveillance.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service