US Forces Sink Pacific Narco Refueling Platform Tied to Ecuadorian Cartel, SOUTHCOM Says

U.S. forces sank a floating refueling vessel on Monday that officials said was being used by an Ecuadorian organized crime group.

The operation was carried out by Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTFWH), which intercepted the vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean after determining it was supporting “at-sea drug trafficking operations,” according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

“JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere,” SOUTHCOM said in a post on X.

SOUTHCOM identified the vessel as connected to Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian narco-terrorist organization. Officials said the individuals on board were removed from the boat and will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

After the vessel was cleared of all people aboard, U.S. forces sank it.

JTFWH was activated by SOUTHCOM in August as part of an effort to counter threats, bolster regional security and respond to crises across the Western Hemisphere.

The Trump administration has made the targeting of suspected drug-smuggling vessels headed toward the United States a priority.

U.S. forces have launched dozens of strikes targeting such boats under the administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Last week, the cartel was designated by the State Department as a foreign terrorist organization. Its members have attacked and threatened public officials and their families, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists in Ecuador, the agency said.

“Their ultimate goal is to control drug trafficking routes through Ecuador by terrorizing and inflicting brutal violence on the Ecuadorian people,” said State Department deputy spokesperson Thomas Pigott.

In July, U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities cooperated to extradite Los Choneros leader Fito Macias, who was the first Ecuadorian citizen extradited from Ecuador to face justice in the U.S.