U.S. destroys another alleged drug boat as Rubio defends deadly strikes
Since Trump returned to power, the U.S. has conducted airstrikes against boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 200 people.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended recent strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats during a visit to Ecuador, warning that Latin American cartels would devastate these countries if not stopped. The U.S. military confirmed conducting another lethal strike in the Caribbean Sea hours after Rubio's remarks. Rubio praised the new generation of conservative leaders in the region, which are allied with President Trump, and claimed Washington found partners willing to aggressively tackle criminal groups.
According to Pentagon figures, the operations have resulted in over 200 deaths. Rights groups, fishermen, and their relatives have questioned the campaign, arguing vessels were targeted without enough evidence linking them to trafficking. Experts also doubt these strikes effectively curb the flow of drugs to the United States. After talks with President Daniel Noboa in Quito, Rubio vowed to continue the operations, cautioning that unaddressed criminal groups would "eat these countries alive" like a cancer.
He emphasized that joint U.S.-Ecuador patrols recently removed crews from at least six boats before sinking them, and cited a recent interception and sinking of a vessel allegedly supporting drug trafficking by the Ecuadorian gang Los Choneros. Rubio stated decisions on strikes are made case by case based on threat level, location, and local laws, and stressed the need to confront criminal groups in territorial waters.
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