The US is removing its military capacity from Ecuador to Colombia after Quito refused to renew a deal to let US forces remain in the country.

US Ambassador to Colombia William Brownfield made no secret on Monday that his country was considering to base its Ecuador Manta forces in a new location in Colombia.

“I am not going to deny that we are talking about this possibility,” Brownfield said adding the move will secure Washington-Bogota cooperation.

"Colombia and the US are collaborating on the efforts against the illegal drugs, in the efforts against the international delinquency. Part of this collaboration, without doubts, requires the access to facilities between both countries," he added.

Nevertheless, the air base will continue to be under Colombia's control and jurisdiction, he assured.

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa had earlier urged the United States to move its forces from its Manta base in the Latin American country.

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said early last month, that his country was ready to "widen the eases in some aerial bases."

Colombia, the US main US ally in the region, has received a total of USD 5.5 billion in economic and military aid from Washington since 2000.

RB/DT