U.S. military sinks Los Choneros refueling vessel in Eastern Pacific

maritime interdiction drug trafficking Los Choneros SOUTHCOM Eastern Pacific

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that, in coordination with the Ecuadorian government, forces successfully intercepted and sank a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in the Eastern Pacific. The vessel was identified by intelligence as being used by the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization to support illicit drug trafficking operations.

U.S. Marines and sailors deployed from the USS San Antonio boarded and searched the vessel without incident. All individuals on board were safely evacuated and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Following the inspection, U.S. forces sank the vessel to disrupt the criminal organization's maritime logistics chain.

This operation is part of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition's efforts to dismantle narco-terrorist capabilities. While military officials describe these actions as decisive blows against drug trafficking, the campaign has faced scrutiny. Reports indicate that since September 2025, U.S. maritime interdictions have resulted in at least 227 deaths. Additionally, some Ecuadorian fishing sectors have raised concerns regarding the impact of these operations on local fishing vessels and reported instances of mistreatment during interdictions.

Entities

Ecuador · Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense · Ecuadorian Navy · Francis L. Donovan · Gian Carlo Loffredo · INOCAR · Los Choneros · U.S. Southern Command · USS San Antonio · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Fishermen reported being targeted, handcuffed, and mistreated during U.S. maritime interdictions. eluniverso.com
[● 13 SOURCES] The vessel was linked to the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization. www.turkgun.com · offthepress.com · elmundo.hn · www.haberport.com · www.mersinhaber.com · +8 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The operation was conducted in coordination with the Ecuadorian government. www.turkgun.com · offthepress.com · elmundo.hn · www.haberport.com · www.mersinhaber.com · +8 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Individuals removed from the vessel were safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. www.turkgun.com · offthepress.com · elmundo.hn · www.haberport.com · www.mersinhaber.com · +8 more
[● 13 SOURCES] U.S. forces intercepted and sank a vessel acting as a floating refueling station in the Eastern Pacific. www.turkgun.com · offthepress.com · elmundo.hn · www.haberport.com · www.mersinhaber.com · +8 more
[● 2 SOURCES] U.S. forces have killed at least 227 people in 67 maritime attacks as part of a campaign to curb drug trafficking. abc17news.com · www.defensa.com
[● 12 SOURCES] Personnel from the USS San Antonio boarded and cleared the vessel before it was sunk. www.turkgun.com · offthepress.com · elmundo.hn · www.haberport.com · www.mersinhaber.com · +7 more