Ecuador’s military paid tribute to five dogs with the country’s military intelligence unit on Monday, awarding them medals for their service — from nabbing drug suspects to finding hidden explosives.

Officials say the dogs’ role is an important one as the military responds to an uptick in gang violence that has rattled the country since early 2021.

Col. Santiago Salazar, commander of the Calicuchima General Intelligence Brigade, said the canine unit “has become a power of enormous importance and a vital resource for the security and well-being of society.”

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