The US military reported on Friday that it had destroyed an alleged drug trafficking boat in a coordinated operation with Ecuador. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in Latin America, which is a key priority for Washington. In March, Ecuador joined a US-led coalition aimed at addressing the drug trade in the region.
According to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the forces intercepted a vessel described as "operating as a floating refueling station" in the Eastern Pacific. SOUTHCOM stated that the vessel was supporting the Los Choneros organization, which is recognized by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization due to its involvement in drug trafficking.
SOUTHCOM noted, "Working together with our Ecuadorian partners, our coalition dealt a decisive blow to a narco-terrorist operation responsible for moving significant amounts of drugs through the region."
Ecuador's geographical position between Colombia and Peru, the two largest producers of cocaine, makes it a significant transit point for drug-trafficking operations. The US military initiated Operation Southern Spear in September 2025 to enhance its efforts against drug trafficking in the area. However, the Trump administration has not provided definitive evidence that the vessels targeted in its operations were transporting illegal drugs.