CIA allegedly conducted secret drone attacks on Ecuadorian fishing boats

Reports indicate that the CIA conducted secret drone attacks against fishing vessels near the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador earlier this year. According to information cited by The Washington Post, these operations involved strikes on vessels that resulted in significant casualties, including the disappearance of one boat and eight crew members in January.

Survivors from attacks in March reported being forcibly removed from their vessels by English-speaking armed men, who allegedly hooded, handcuffed, and tortured them before transferring them to El Salvador. While the U.S. government has not officially claimed responsibility for these specific incidents, security experts suggest U.S. involvement due to the ongoing 'Lanza del Sur' operation conducted by U.S. Southern Command.

Fishermen in the Manabi region of Ecuador face a dual threat: extortion by local cartels such as 'Los Choneros' and 'Los Lobos,' and aerial attacks from U.S. forces targeting suspected 'narco-terrorists.' Since last September, U.S. Southern Command has destroyed 67 vessels labeled as 'narco-launches,' resulting in over 220 deaths. The violence has caused local fishermen to reduce their sea outings or alter routes to avoid both criminal extortion and military strikes.