started · updated
U.S. forces sink four vessels in Eastern Pacific suspected of drug trafficking links
U.S. Southern Command has conducted a series of maritime operations in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the sinking of four vessels suspected of serving as refueling stations for drug trafficking. Washington identifies these vessels as being linked to the Los Choneros criminal organization.
Following these operations, 28 crew members from the vessels Conquista II and OM2 were brought to Manta, Ecuador. While U.S. authorities maintain the vessels were part of a logistical network for narcotics, an Ecuadorian judge released the crew members after finding insufficient evidence of criminal activity.
Amidst the legal proceedings, the Ecuadorian Navy successfully located eight crew members from the Conquista II who had been adrift following the military intervention. Human rights organizations and families of the crew have called for investigations into the U.S. military actions, citing concerns over missing persons and the potential criminalization of artisanal fishing activities.
Entities
Conquista II · Ecuador · Ecuadorian Navy · Human Rights Watch · John Reimberg · Los Choneros · Manta · Mexico · U.S. Southern Command · United States · United States Southern Command
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] A total of 28 crew members from the vessels Conquista II and OM2 arrived in Manta, Ecuador, under authority custody. bavarodigital.net · montecristinoticias.com · eltiempomx.com · elnuevodiario.com.do · elmercuriomanta.ec
- [● 27 SOURCES] U.S. forces intercepted and sank vessels in the Eastern Pacific suspected of serving as refueling stations for drug trafficking. bavarodigital.net · jamaicainquirer.com · canal44.com · www.latercera.com · wltreport.com · +20 more
- [● 27 SOURCES] The intercepted vessels were allegedly linked to the Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros. bavarodigital.net · jamaicainquirer.com · canal44.com · www.latercera.com · wltreport.com · +20 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Families of the crew members claim the men were artisanal fishermen and deny any involvement in illegal activities. bavarodigital.net · jamaicainquirer.com · canal44.com · eltiempomx.com · athina984.gr · +4 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The 28 crew members were released after a judge found insufficient evidence of criminal activity. montecristinoticias.com · elnuevodiario.com.do · elmercuriomanta.ec · deultimominuto.com · bavarodigital.net · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] U.S. forces have sunk four vessels in the Eastern Pacific over the past week during anti-drug operations. wltreport.com · laregionhoy.cl · eltiempomx.com · elmercuriomanta.ec · contrapodernews.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ecuadorian government defended the operations as part of joint international cooperation against drug trafficking. bavarodigital.net · jamaicainquirer.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] An Ecuadorian judge ordered the Foreign Ministry to demand information from the U.S. Embassy regarding the sinking of the vessels. elmercuriomanta.ec · actualidad.rt.com · montecristinoticias.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Human rights organizations have called for investigations into the U.S. military actions and reported missing persons. elmercuriomanta.ec · montecristinoticias.com · canal44.com · actualidad.rt.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Eight crew members of the Conquista 2 were located alive after being adrift following a U.S. military operation. www.telesurtv.net