Yes. They're sap suckers. Ants herd, protect and milk them for their sweet extract. Scale too, which I've had on plants many times. Get rid of the ants, use the 50/50 alcohol and cover your soil. From above and below. Turn the plant upside down if you can and spray it. It will kill the infestation.
All those aphids give live birth to more female pregnant off spring which in turn have dozens of clones a week. You've got to nuke 'em
View attachment 2545090
You'll still have to treat your plant weekly until a week before harvest. Jack's Dead Bug, neem oil, BT if there are bud worms.
All of them, from aphids to bud worms can damage your plant and in turn your harvest.