Fishermen detained, boats destroyed but no charges under U.S. ops in Equador
Joint U.S.-Ecuador counternarcotics operations in the Pacific have seen the destruction of four Ecuadoran vessels since Aug. 28.
Manta, Ecuador – Ecuadoran fisherman Eduardo Holguin and his crew were forcibly removed from their boat by a joint U.S.-Ecuadoran operation and had their vessel destroyed. Holguin, 41, claimed they were intercepted at sea last Wednesday and had not been involved in drug trafficking. A speedboat filled with soldiers approached their boat, and armed forces took control, ultimately sinking their boat.
They were eventually released without facing any criminal charges. Since August 28, four Ecuadoran vessels have been destroyed in counternarcotics operations. The U.S. military states the boat was used to support drug trafficking by the Ecuadoran crime syndicate Los Choneros. Human Rights Watch has alleged eight people went missing during three Ecuadoran vessels being attacked by U.S. forces in January and March.
The crew, including Holguin, were detained, given an interpreter, and handed over to the Ecuadoran navy before being released the next day. The fishermen in Manta and surrounding areas are worried about their future, as they rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
