Archive · 6 Sep 2026
US forces sink third suspected Ecuadorian drug vessel in Pacific
The United States says it destroyed a boat in the Eastern Pacific because it helped drug traffickers.
The operation was reported on September 5 and was the third vessel destroyed in the area within a week.
US officials said the vessel was used as a floating gas station for other boats.
They also said it was connected to Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian gang.
People from the vessels were taken safely to Ecuadorian officials.
Ecuadorian families are worried because some fishermen have disappeared and others fear being attacked.
Human Rights Watch and families accuse US military personnel of involvement in eight disappearances, but Washington denies this.
The US government has not publicly shown definite proof that all the targeted boats carried drugs.
Ecuador’s government supports the US campaign and has conducted joint operations with US forces.
US forces destroyed a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the reported total to three in one week.
US Southern Command said the vessel operated as a floating refueling station for illicit drug-trafficking operations.
US officials said intelligence linked the vessel to Ecuador’s Los Choneros gang, which has ties to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.
Crew members were transferred to Ecuadorian authorities; Ecuador’s Navy said it received 28 people from two vessels.
Families and fishermen fear mistaken targeting, while Washington denies involvement in eight fishermen’s disappearances and has not publicly provided definitive evidence of trafficking.
- Who
- The US military, Ecuadorian authorities, Los Choneros, fishermen, and fishermen’s families.
- What
- US forces sank a suspected drug-trafficking support vessel or multi-vessel refueling station after transferring crew members to Ecuadorian authorities.
- When
- The operation was reported as occurring on September 5, within a week of two other vessel destructions.
- Where
- The operation took place in the Eastern Pacific; relatives gathered in Manta, Ecuador.
- Why
- US Southern Command said the vessels supported illicit at-sea drug trafficking and were linked to Los Choneros.
US and Ecuadorian authorities
Families, fishermen, and critics
Purpose of the vessels
US and Ecuadorian authorities
US Southern Command said the targeted vessel was a floating refueling station for illicit drug trafficking and was linked to Los Choneros. Ecuadorian Interior Minister John Reimberg said the vessels transported cocaine toward Mexico and the United States.
Families, fishermen, and critics
Critics point out that the Trump administration has not publicly provided definitive evidence that the targeted vessels were involved in drug trafficking.
Treatment of crews
US and Ecuadorian authorities
US officials said people aboard the vessel were safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities before it was sunk, and Ecuador’s Navy reported receiving 28 crew members from two vessels.
Families, fishermen, and critics
Families and fishermen remain concerned that legitimate fishing boats could be mistaken for trafficking vessels and targeted.
Missing fishermen
US and Ecuadorian authorities
Washington denies involvement in the disappearances of eight fishermen.
Families, fishermen, and critics
The fishermen’s families and Human Rights Watch blame US military personnel for the disappearances, which occurred between January and March.
Regional campaign
US and Ecuadorian authorities
The United States and Ecuador describe the operations as part of a campaign against drug trafficking and gangs.
Families, fishermen, and critics
Fishermen and affected families say the strikes have created fear and uncertainty in coastal communities.
- Vessels destroyed
- Three vessels were reportedly destroyed in the Eastern Pacific within one week.
- Reported vessel role
- US Southern Command described the targeted vessel as a floating refueling station supporting illicit drug trafficking.
- Crew transferred
- Ecuador’s Navy said it received 28 crew members from the latest vessel and another vessel.
- Gang connection
- US officials linked the vessels to Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian gang with ties to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.
- Disappearances
- Families and Human Rights Watch accuse US military personnel of involvement in eight fishermen’s disappearances between January and March; Washington denies involvement.
- Evidence dispute
- The Trump administration has not publicly provided definitive evidence that the targeted Pacific and Caribbean vessels were involved in drug trafficking.
- Ecuadorian support
- President Daniel Noboa’s government backs the US campaign and has conducted joint operations with US special forces.
