Ecuadorian fishermen targeted by drug cartels with offers up to $100,000

Drug trafficking networks are offering Ecuadorian fishermen up to $100,000 to participate in maritime operations. According to Colonel William Calle, commander of the National Police Zone 4, criminal organizations recruit fishermen for their specialized knowledge of navigation and the sea to transport drugs toward Central America or to resupply vessels in international waters.

Payments for transporting fuel can reach $50,000. The illicit activity involves several sectors, including San Mateo, Jaramijó, Puerto López, Jama, Camarones, and Bahía. Reports indicate that fishing vessels and 'go-fast' boats are being used to move cocaine, with some trips carrying up to 700 kilograms.

On August 20, 2026, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned eight individuals and seven companies in Ecuador, linking some to criminal groups such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos. Between late August and mid-September, SOUTHCOM reported eight interventions in the Eastern Pacific involving vessels used as resupply stations.

Human rights organizations have documented the impact on local communities, noting that at least 181 Ecuadorian fishermen were affected by U.S. interventions involving ten vessels during 2026. In Manta, several fishermen faced legal restrictions, including periodic reporting requirements and prohibitions on leaving the country.