US, Ecuador forces strike alleged drug smuggling boat
Tackling drug trafficking in Latin America is a key priority for Washington. In March, Ecuador joined a US-led coalition to combat the drug trade in the region.
The US military, in coordination with Ecuadorian forces, destroyed an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, according to a statement from US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The vessel, operating as a floating refueling station, was targeted as it supported the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization, a powerful criminal gang designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by Washington.
The operation aimed to disrupt one of the largest drug trafficking routes in the region, according to SOUTHCOM. Recently, Ecuador joined the US-led "Shield of the Americas" initiative, which combats drug trafficking across the region. Ecuador's location between Colombia and Peru, two of the world's largest cocaine producers, makes it a crucial transit hub for drug cartels.
The US military initiated Operation Southern Spear in September 2025 as part of its efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. However, the administration has not provided definitive evidence that the targeted vessels were carrying or transporting illegal drugs.
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