Ecuador fishermen stuck between cartel extortion and US airstrikes

Fishermen in a part of Ecuador called Manabi go out to sea in small boats to catch fish like tuna.

But lately, their work has become very dangerous.

Criminal groups called drug cartels tell the fishermen they must pay $1,200 in money every time they want to fish.

If the fishermen refuse, they are threatened with violence against themselves and their families.

The cartels also offer them lots of money to hide drugs in their boats, but that is against the law and very unsafe.

Meanwhile, the United States military is attacking boats at sea because it thinks they are carrying drugs.

The US says it has destroyed 67 boats and killed more than 220 people.

Some fishermen say their boats were attacked even though they were not carrying any drugs at all.

One fishing boat was set on fire, so the crew had to jump into the ocean to save themselves.

Now many fishermen in the area are too scared to go out and fish anymore.