U.S. Southern Command sank an Ecuadorian vessel in the Eastern Pacific, alleging it supported illicit drug trafficking operations and was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros. This is the latest in a series of U.S. actions against vessels in Latin America.
The U.S. military's continued operations against suspected drug trafficking vessels in Latin America highlight ongoing efforts to combat transnational crime, but also raise questions about the methods, legality, and human cost of these actions.
The U.S. Southern Command announced Monday that it sank another Ecuadorian vessel in the Eastern Pacific, alleging it was involved in drug trafficking and linked to the criminal group Los Choneros. This action is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere.
The intercepted vessel was described as a floating refueling station that supported illicit drug trafficking operations. The individuals on board were removed and will be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities. Video footage showed military personnel boarding the ship before it was struck and sunk.
This incident marks the fifth vessel targeted by U.S. forces in less than two weeks, following the sinking of the fishing vessel María Candelaria and two other vessels, OM2 and Los Tres Hermanos. The U.S. has identified these as floating refueling stations for drug trafficking operations and stated they are linked to Los Choneros, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
These operations have resulted in at least 227 deaths in 68 strikes over the past year, drawing criticism regarding their legality and effectiveness. In some instances, Ecuadorian authorities have stated they found no evidence of criminal activity among survivors. The U.S. is also pursuing agreements with other Latin American countries for land-based joint military operations against criminal groups.