US Navy Sinks Drug Traffickers’ Floating Petrol Station in Pacific Raid
SOUTHCOM confirms the destruction of a vessel used to refuel cocaine-smuggling boats linked to Ecuador’s Los Choneros.
The U.S. military has sunk a vessel operating as a floating refuelling station for drug trafficking networks linked to Ecuador’s Los Choneros, dealing a critical blow to the group’s logistics chain in the Eastern Pacific. The operation, conducted on Sept. 2, 2023, in international waters, marks the latest strike under Operation Southern Spear, a year-long campaign targeting narco-terrorist organisations.
The vessel was intercepted by U.S. Marines and sailors launched from the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), a U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship. After boarding and searching the vessel without incident, U.S. forces determined it was being used to refuel other boats involved in illegal drug trafficking. Intelligence indicated the vessel was supporting Los Choneros, a group described by the U.S.
Following the interdiction, the vessel was sunk, and the individuals aboard were transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Ecuadorian government, reflecting a broader U.S. strategy to dismantle drug trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere.
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By eliminating these mobile hubs, U.S. and allied forces aim to cripple the cartels’ ability to move narcotics undetected.
The vessel sunk on Sept. 2 was the second linked to Los Choneros destroyed in recent weeks. These strikes are part of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C), a U.S.-led initiative that includes Ecuador and other Latin American nations in a coordinated effort to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
The group is known for its brutal tactics, including extortion, kidnapping, and violence against rival gangs and law enforcement.
The Human Cost: Families Demand Answers Amid Military Strikes: floating refuelling station
While the U.S. and Ecuadorian governments have hailed the operation as a success, the strikes have raised concerns among local communities. Olivia Holguin, the sister of the boat’s captain, told AFP that the men were “fishermen who struggle to bring food to our homes, for our children.” She demanded answers about their whereabouts and safety.
AFP could not confirm whether the fishing boat was the same vessel destroyed by U.S. forces, highlighting the challenges of distinguishing between legitimate fishing operations and vessels involved in drug trafficking. The lack of transparency has fuelled criticism, with some lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), questioning whether the U.S. has provided sufficient evidence to justify the strikes. SOUTHCOM has not released detailed intelligence to support its claims that all targeted vessels were involved in drug trafficking.
Since the launch of Operation Southern Spear a year ago, over 200 people have been killed in military strikes in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.
The latest strike underscores the growing militarisation of the U.S. response to drug trafficking in Latin America. While SOUTHCOM argues that these operations are necessary to protect the U.S. homeland from the flow of narcotics, critics warn that the lack of oversight and transparency could lead to civilian casualties and undermine trust in the mission. For now, the U.S. and its allies remain committed to dismantling the logistics networks that enable cartels to operate across the Western Hemisphere.
As the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition continues its work, the focus will likely shift to other key nodes in the drug trafficking supply chain, including ports, airstrips, and financial networks. For communities like Manta, however, the immediate priority is clarity, ensuring that innocent fishermen are not caught in the crossfire of a war that shows no signs of ending.
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