U.S. military forces intercepted and sank a vessel in the Eastern Pacific that U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated was operating as a floating refueling station for the Los Choneros, a narco-terrorist organization. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Government of Ecuador.
SOUTHCOM reported that Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), directed by SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, successfully interdicted the vessel on September 2. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's support for the Los Choneros, described by SOUTHCOM as a violent narco-terrorist group.
Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Multiple individuals were removed from the craft and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Following their safe removal, U.S. forces sank the vessel.
SOUTHCOM stated that the operation disrupts a critical node in the alleged drug traffickers' illicit activities. The specific location of the operation was not disclosed.
The action was carried out in support of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM's mission to dismantle narco-terrorist networks in the region.
"We are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere," General Donovan said in a statement. "This operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which is on watch in the region to apply total systemic friction on these networks."
Video released by SOUTHCOM depicts military personnel intercepting, boarding, and sinking the vessel. SOUTHCOM reiterated the message to narco-terrorists that the A3C will continue to apply friction to their networks.
This interdiction is part of a broader campaign by U.S. authorities aimed at dismantling trafficking networks linked to cartels. SOUTHCOM has conducted numerous strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean targeting vessels alleged to be connected to narco-terrorists. Last week, a strike in the Caribbean reportedly resulted in the deaths of four individuals identified as narco-terrorists.