Key facts
- Ecuadorian fishermen are caught between drug cartel extortion and U.S. airstrikes.
- Cartels extort fishermen, offering large sums for drug smuggling or threatening violence.
- U.S. airstrikes have destroyed 67 vessels and killed over 220 people since September as part of Operation Southern Spear.
- Some fishing boats have reportedly been struck in covert CIA operations.
- Survivors of an attack described being detained by English-speaking men and transferred to a Salvadoran navy vessel.
- The U.S. military has declined to comment on specific strikes due to operational security.
Fishermen in Ecuador's Manabi province are caught in a dangerous bind, facing threats from both powerful drug cartels and U.S. military operations. The cartels, including Los Choneros and Los Lobos, have transformed local ports into drug-trafficking hubs, extorting fishermen by demanding 'fees' for safe passage or forcing them to smuggle cocaine, offering lucrative but perilous rewards.
Simultaneously, the U.S. military's Operation Southern Spear, aimed at combating drug trafficking, has resulted in airstrikes on numerous vessels. Since September, the U.S. military reports destroying 67 vessels and killing over 220 people. However, reports suggest that some of these strikes may have inadvertently targeted legitimate fishing boats, with survivors describing drone attacks and subsequent detention by English-speaking personnel before being handed over to Salvadoran naval forces and repatriated.
Survivors like Simon Villacreses recount harrowing experiences, including being targeted by drones and detained at sea. These incidents have led some fishermen to fear returning to sea, altering their fishing times and routes to avoid both cartel extortion and potential military strikes. The U.S. Southern Command has declined to comment on specific operations, citing security reasons, while Ecuadorian officials have stated that information on drug enforcement is classified. The situation highlights the complex and dangerous environment faced by coastal communities in Ecuador.