Ecuador Backs U.S. Sinking of Vessels in Pacific Anti-Drug Operation

Ecuador has defended U.S. operations that intercepted and sank three Ecuadorean vessels this week as part of a broader campaign targeting maritime drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific, despite claims from crew members’ relatives that the boats were carrying fishermen rather than drugs.

The operations have intensified debate over Washington’s use of lethal force against vessels suspected of supporting drug-smuggling networks. Human rights groups have criticized the approach, while concerns have also grown across Latin America about U.S. military actions at sea.

Relatives of some crew members challenged the official explanation. Rosalba, the 47-year-old wife of one crew member who declined to provide her last name, said the men were fishing when their vessel was boarded and claimed authorities found no narcotics.

“I don’t understand why the U.S. government has to act in such an arbitrary way,” she said, accusing Washington of violating the fishermen’s human rights.

Rosalba also said the boat carried only fish and alleged the incident occurred in Ecuadorean territorial waters rather than international waters. Reuters was unable to independently confirm those claims.

Ecuador’s government backed the U.S. account, saying the maritime operation followed joint investigations between the two countries into drug-trafficking logistics connected to criminal organizations.

Interior Minister John Reimberg told Teleamazonas that the action was conducted through international cooperation. He said the vessels operated as floating refueling stations, allowing speedboats transporting drugs toward Mexico and the United States to travel faster and farther.

The U.S. Southern Command similarly said the three vessels were used as refueling platforms for narcotics trafficking and linked them to Ecuador’s Los Choneros criminal gang. Military footage showed operatives boarding a vessel before it was destroyed at sea, although Reuters could not independently verify when or where the video was recorded.

The Ecuadorean Navy said 28 crew members from two vessels returned to Manta at around 3 p.m. local time. Nine were from the Conquista II and 19 from the OM2. Another eight Conquista II crew members were still returning to port aboard a separate vessel.