US Southern Command sinks Ecuadorian vessel linked to drug trafficking
The U.S. Southern Command on Monday sank another Ecuadorian vessel that the U.S. alleged was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros, reports BritPanorama.
This action is part of a broader U.S. initiative against boats and vessels in Latin America that are believed to be involved in drug trafficking.
The joint task force intercepted a floating refueling station alleged to support illicit drug trafficking operations at sea in the Eastern Pacific, according to a statement from the Southern Command.
All individuals on board the vessel were removed and are set to be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities.
A video released alongside the announcement depicted military personnel boarding the vessel, with a helicopter above, concluding with a projectile striking and sinking it.
The U.S. forces emphasized their ongoing commitment to “precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks that fuel drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.”
Ecuadorian authorities have not provided an immediate response.
The sunken vessel, whose name has not been disclosed, marks the fifth target of U.S. forces in less than two weeks.
Previously, the fishing vessel María Candelaria was struck last week in the Pacific, an action coordinated with Ecuadorian authorities. The Ecuadorian navy subsequently located 26 crew members from this vessel, who arrived in the port city of Manta on Sunday. Eight fishermen from the Conquista II were also located, as their families on the mainland sought updates on their fate.
Two additional vessels, the OM2 and Los Tres Hermanos, were identified by Southern Command as “floating refueling stations for multiple vessels engaged in illicit drug trafficking operations,” according to posts on the social media platform X.
The United States has linked all these boats to Los Choneros, which it designates as a foreign terrorist organization.
This operation adds to previous incidents involving three other vessels whose Ecuadorian crews reported interception by U.S. forces this year. Notably, eight fishermen from the Fiorella have been missing since January. The crews from other vessels returned to Ecuador after being sent to El Salvador.
Since the initiation of these operations against boats in the Caribbean and Pacific over a year ago, at least 227 people have died in 68 U.S. strikes. Critics have raised concerns regarding the legality and effectiveness of such strikes.
In one instance, Ecuadorian authorities claimed there was no evidence that a survivor of a strike had participated in any criminal activity.
The Trump administration is pursuing agreements with allied nations to extend anti-drug operations to land across multiple Latin American countries. During a recent visit to Panama, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras had agreed to facilitate joint military operations against criminal groups. However, Guatemala has denied such an agreement exists. Ecuador has been collaborating with the U.S. on similar operations since March.
Such developments underscore the complex dynamics of drug trafficking and international law enforcement in the region.
