Southern Command on Monday sank another Ecuadorian vessel that the U.S. alleged was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros. QUITO, Ecuador — The U.S.
The statement also indicated that U.S. forces continue to conduct “precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks that fuel drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. Southern Command, in coordination with Ecuadorian authorities.
It was the latest action by the U.S. against boats and vessels in Latin America that it said were involved in drug trafficking. The joint task force intercepted a floating refueling station that supported illicit drug trafficking operations at sea in the Eastern Pacific, the Southern Command said in a statement. The fishing vessel María Candelaria was struck last week in the Pacific, according to information from U.S. The United States has said all of the boats were linked to Los Choneros, which the U.S. considers a foreign terrorist organization.
Ecuador launched similar missions with the U.S. in March. Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness. The Trump administration is pursuing deals with allied nations to extend its offensive to land across multiple Latin American countries. U.S. Guatemala denied reaching such a deal.
At least 227 people have been killed in 68 U.S. government strikes that began against boats in the Caribbean and Pacific more than a year ago.
In at least one case, Ecuadorian authorities said they had no evidence that a survivor of one of the strikes had participated in any criminal activity. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a visit to Panama this month that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras had agreed to allow the U.S. to carry out joint military operations against criminal groups on their soil.
