Like much of once-tranquil Ecuador, Puerto Bolivar has become a battleground for rival cartels fighting to bring record amounts of cocaine from Colombia and Peru to Europe, North America and Asia.

R unning Ecuador seems an unenviable job. In recent years it has become the most violent state in mainland Latin America.

Revelations about US taxpayer dollars flowing to the drag show in Ecuador come as the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are cracking down on government bloat. Department of Government ...