US military sinks alleged drug-trafficking 'floating refueling station': SOUTHCOM
Marines and sailors boarded the vessel without incident before sinking it, and authorities said the move disrupted a drug-smuggling logistics chain.
- On Friday, U.S. forces and Ecuadorian authorities intercepted and sank a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, an operation directed by Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan targeting a "floating refueling station" for drug traffickers.
- Intelligence linked the vessel to Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian criminal organization the U.S. government designated a violent narco-terrorist group; the boat had been previously targeted under Treasury Department sanctions.
- Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio boarded and cleared the ship without incident, then removed all personnel and safely transported them to Ecuador before the vessel was sunk.
- SOUTHCOM reported the destruction disrupted the organization's logistics chain, preventing trafficking vessels from operating far from shore and significantly degrading the group's long-range smuggling capabilities.
- Commander Gen. Donovan stated the operation demonstrates the "Americas Counter Cartel Coalition's power to dismantle" narco-terrorist tactics, reflecting a strategic shift toward multinational enforcement in the Western Hemisphere.
28 Articles
28 Articles
US Military Destroys Vessel In Pacific Drug Operation, Southern Command Releases Footage
The U.S. military has destroyed a vessel during a counter-drug operation in the Pacific, according to U.S. Southern Command. Footage released from the operation shows the vessel being targeted as American forces continue efforts to disrupt suspected maritime drug trafficking routes. The operation highlights the growing role of U.S. military assets in monitoring and intercepting vessels linked to illicit activities across the region. Southern Com…
If you want to dramatize yourself right now, you'll never be able to hear about any American girl who doesn't want to eat drugs. Don't forget about the Los Choneros gang. authorize yourself ekuadoriane.Operacioni u zhvillua në koordinim me qeverinë e Ekuadorit.
The U.S. Army announced the destruction of a boat used by drug traffickers as a refuelling station in the East Pacific, after several people had been removed from it by United States forces, without the use of force.
Protothema
PentapostagmaThe boat was in international waters and was being used by the Los Zoneros gang, one of the most powerful in Ecuador - This is the first known case in the context of operations of this kind since September 2025, which was preceded by an evacuation.
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Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center, 37% of the sources lean Right
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