The U.S. military intercepted and sank a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, which U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated was supporting the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization. The operation, conducted on September 2, was a coordinated effort with the Government of Ecuador.
Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), directed by SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, interdicted the vessel in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's role in supporting Los Choneros, described by SOUTHCOM as a violent narco-terrorist organization. U.S. Marines and sailors aboard the USS San Antonio boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident.
Multiple individuals were removed from the vessel and subsequently transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Following their removal, U.S. forces sank the vessel. SOUTHCOM stated that this action disrupts a critical node in the alleged drug traffickers’ logistics networks.
The operation was undertaken in support of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM's mission to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. General Donovan emphasized the commitment to dismantling sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere, highlighting the precision and capabilities of JTF-WHEM.
Video released by SOUTHCOM depicted military personnel intercepting, boarding, and sinking the craft. The operation aligns with a broader campaign by the U.S. government aimed at dismantling cartel-linked trafficking networks. SOUTHCOM has conducted numerous strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean against vessels believed to be connected to narco-terrorist organizations. In the past year, the campaign has resulted in at least 227 deaths across 68 reported strikes.