Archive · 10 Sep 2026
US Continues Destroying Suspected Drug Boats, Rubio Says
The United States is still stopping boats it suspects of carrying drugs.
Marco Rubio said the government decides what to do based on each boat and the danger it may pose.
Some missions happen with the help of nearby countries.
Those missions must follow the partner countries’ laws.
Rubio said lawyers review every target before an operation.
He said the goal is to stop drug traffickers, not ordinary fishermen.
The United States is also targeting illegal fishing, according to Rubio.
Rubio would not confirm a report about three boats near the Galapagos Islands.
He said Mexico’s cartels remain a particularly serious challenge.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States may destroy suspected drug-trafficking vessels when necessary.
Rubio said operations depend on the vessel, the threat, the country and the vessel’s location.
Many recent missions were joint operations in partner countries’ territorial waters and followed local laws and procedures.
He said every target receives a legal review and operations are decided case by case.
Rubio declined to confirm a report about three vessels near the Galapagos Islands and said the main challenge was Mexico’s powerful cartels.
- Who
- The United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, regional partner countries and suspected drug traffickers.
- What
- The United States continues case-by-case operations to destroy or disrupt suspected drug-trafficking vessels.
- When
- Rubio made the comments on Wednesday and said the campaign had been underway for more than a year.
- Where
- Operations have occurred in international waters and, more recently, in the territorial waters of regional partner countries; Rubio spoke in Quito, Ecuador.
- Why
- The stated aim is to disrupt drug-trafficking routes and confront threats from drug boats, illegal fishing and Mexican cartels.
U.S. Government Position
Reported Concerns and Unresolved Questions
Use of force against vessels
U.S. Government Position
Rubio said vessels may be destroyed when necessary, with decisions made operation by operation after legal review.
Reported Concerns and Unresolved Questions
The article raises questions about the risks to fishermen and about the circumstances of reported vessel destructions.
Transparency about Galapagos operations
U.S. Government Position
Rubio said he would not comment on a report about three vessels near the Galapagos Islands because he did not know whether it was accurate.
Reported Concerns and Unresolved Questions
A reporter claimed the vessels were destroyed under a covert CIA program, but the claim remained unconfirmed in Rubio’s remarks.
How operations should be conducted
U.S. Government Position
Rubio emphasized cooperation with regional governments and compliance with their laws when missions occur in territorial waters.
Reported Concerns and Unresolved Questions
The article contrasts these joint missions with unilateral operations in international waters conducted earlier last year, leaving differing operational contexts.
- U.S. official
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Operational standard
- Actions depend on the vessel, threat, country and location.
- Legal review
- Rubio said every target is reviewed by lawyers at the Department of War.
- Recent cooperation
- Many operations are conducted jointly with regional countries in their territorial waters.
- Stated targets
- Drug traffickers, drug boats and illegal fishing operations.
- Fishermen
- Rubio said the goal is not to target fishermen.
- Mexico
- Rubio called Mexico’s cartels the central and particularly grave challenge.
- Unconfirmed report
- Rubio declined to comment on a claim that three vessels were destroyed near the Galapagos Islands under a covert CIA program.