Post by : Shweta
US Forces Sink Ecuadorian Vessel in Pacific
US forces have sunk another Ecuadorian vessel in the Eastern Pacific after alleging that the boat was connected to drug trafficking operations and the criminal group Los Choneros. The operation was announced by the US Southern Command and marks the latest in a series of maritime actions targeting suspected drug trafficking networks in Latin America.According to the US Southern Command, the vessel was being used as a floating refueling station to support illicit drug trafficking operations at sea. US forces intercepted the vessel, removed the people aboard and said they would be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Ecuadorian authorities had not immediately issued a public comment on the latest incident.
Fifth Vessel Targeted in Less Than Two Weeks
The latest operation is reportedly the fifth vessel destroyed by US forces in less than two weeks. A video released alongside the announcement showed military personnel boarding a vessel, followed by a helicopter and a projectile striking the boat before it sank.US Southern Command said its forces were carrying out operations intended to disrupt logistical networks that allegedly support drug trafficking across the Western Hemisphere. The command described the operations as targeted efforts against maritime infrastructure connected to suspected criminal activity.
Earlier Ecuadorian Boat Incidents Raise Concerns
The latest incident follows the destruction of other Ecuadorian vessels. The fishing boat María Candelaria was reportedly struck in the Pacific the previous week during an operation involving US and Ecuadorian authorities.The Ecuadorian navy later located 26 crew members from María Candelaria, who returned to the port city of Manta. Eight fishermen from another vessel, the Conquista II, were also located, while relatives had been seeking information about their whereabouts.
Los Choneros Link Alleged by US Authorities
The United States has said the vessels targeted in these operations were linked to Los Choneros, a powerful Ecuadorian criminal organization that the US considers a foreign terrorist organization. US authorities have alleged that the boats were involved in logistical support for illicit drug trafficking.However, the allegations have faced scrutiny. Critics have questioned the legality and effectiveness of US strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels, while Ecuadorian authorities have previously said that in at least one case there was no evidence that a survivor had participated in criminal activity.
More Than 200 People Reportedly Killed in Boat Strikes
The broader US campaign against suspected drug trafficking boats has resulted in significant casualties. According to the supplied AP report, at least 227 people have been killed in 68 US government strikes against boats in the Caribbean and Pacific over more than a year.The operations have become a subject of international debate, particularly over questions surrounding the legal basis for destroying vessels and the evidence used to establish alleged connections to criminal organizations.
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US Expands Security Cooperation in Latin America
The Trump administration is also seeking expanded cooperation with Latin American countries to conduct operations against criminal organizations on land. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras had agreed to allow joint military operations, although Guatemala denied reaching such an agreement. has already conducted joint missions with the United States since March. The latest maritime operation therefore comes as Washington continues to deepen security cooperation with regional governments while targeting groups accused of drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities.
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