Ecuador defends US sinking of vessels as joint anti-drug operation

Ecuador has defended a US operation this week that sank three vessels accused of sustaining drug-trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific.

Ecuador’s government said on Friday the interception and sinking of the Ecuadorian vessels were part of joint investigations ⁠with Washington targeting drug-smuggling activities linked to criminal gangs.

Ecuadorian Interior Minister John Reimberg told broadcaster Teleamazonas the vessels were refueling points for speedboats that move drugs north towards Mexico and the United States.

“This is ⁠work carried out through international cooperation,” Reimberg said.

The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reiterated Reimberg’s claim, saying it “successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations”, linked to the Los Choneros gang.

“Individuals removed from the vessel will be safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel,” SOUTHCOM posted on X on Thursday.

A video accompanying SOUTHCOM’s post showed US forces approaching and boarding a vessel before it was blown up at sea. The time and location of the video have not been independently verified.

Relatives of some crew members accused the US military of acting without evidence and said the men on the boats were fishermen. The wife of one crew member told the Reuters news agency in a phone interview that the men had been fishing when US forces boarded and that no drugs were found. Her account has not been independently verified.