United States sinks vessel linked to Los Choneros in joint operation with Ecuador
American forces destroyed a boat suspected of supplying drug trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. It was the first joint operation of this kind between the US and Ecuador.
US and Ecuador destroy drug trafficking resupply vessel in the Pacific
The United States Army intercepted and sank a vessel suspected of supporting international drug trafficking in international waters of the Eastern Pacific, the Pentagon announced on Friday (28). According to g1.globo.com, the operation was carried out in coordination with the Ecuadorian government and constitutes the first joint operation of this kind between the two countries.
US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) indicated that the vessel functioned as a floating resupply station, provisioning ships used in drug trafficking routes. In a statement posted on social media X, the command stated that intelligence information pointed to the vessel's connection to the Los Choneros criminal organisation — one of the main drug trafficking factions in Ecuador, classified by the United States as a narco-terrorist organisation.
The boat had been identified previously and was subject to sanctions imposed by the American Treasury Department.
Occupants taken to Manta, vessel destroyed without incident
The operation was conducted by the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force (JTF-WHEM), with support from US Marines and sailors embarked on the amphibious ship USS San Antonio. Military personnel boarded and searched the vessel without incident. The occupants were transported safely to the port of Manta in Ecuador, after which the vessel was sunk by American forces.
A video released by SOUTHCOM shows the moment of explosion and sinking of the vessel. The group of Ecuadorians landed in Manta denied any involvement with drug trafficking, according to local authorities. The US did not report whether narcotics were seized during the operation, nor clarified whether the occupants would face investigation in Ecuador.
Donovan: "direct blow" against drug trafficking networks
For SOUTHCOM commander Francis L. Donovan, the operation interrupted an important link in the logistical chain of criminal organisations. According to him, the destruction of the vessel is part of the American Coalition Against Cartels (A3C) missions.
"Today's operation demonstrates the power of the American Coalition Against Cartels to dismantle the sophisticated tactics and capabilities used by narco-terrorist organisations," Donovan stated in a statement, describing the operation as "a direct blow" against networks responsible for drug transport destined for the United States.
American military presence in Ecuador expanded
The operation takes place just over a week after the US announced the beginning of joint military missions with Ecuador to combat drug trafficking in the northern region of the country, near the border with Colombia. The actions fall within the scope of the Shield of the Americas, an anti-drug coalition formed by around 20 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, led by the government of President Donald Trump.
The missions are conducted under secrecy and include the deployment of warships, helicopters and American military personnel in support of Ecuadorian forces. The Ecuadorian government stated that the strategy aims to strengthen the fight against organisations that use Pacific ports to send drugs to the US and Europe.
President Daniel Noboa intensified cooperation with Washington in the face of advancing violence linked to drug trafficking in the country. In August, the Ecuadorian government authorised the presence of American military personnel in national territory for up to 180 days without a visa and granted immigration immunity to troops. Ecuador's Defence Ministry also announced the deployment of warships and Black Hawk helicopters to reinforce maritime and coastal patrols.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)