**Ecuador Defends US Operation That Sank Vessels Linked to Drug Trafficking**
Manta, Ecuador – The Ecuadorian government has publicly supported a recent United States military operation that resulted in the sinking of three vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking activities in the Eastern Pacific. The operation, which took place earlier this week, has sparked controversy and raised concerns among the families of those onboard the vessels.
Ecuador's Interior Minister, John Reimberg, stated on Friday that the operation was part of a collaborative effort with the US aimed at combating drug smuggling linked to criminal organizations. "The vessels were identified as refueling points for speedboats transporting drugs towards Mexico and the United States," Reimberg explained during an interview with Teleamazonas.
The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) corroborated Reimberg's assertions, declaring that the operation successfully targeted a vessel functioning as a floating refueling station for illicit drug trafficking. SOUTHCOM indicated that individuals removed from the vessel would be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, and the vessel was subsequently sunk.
A video released by SOUTHCOM depicted US forces boarding one of the vessels before it was destroyed at sea. However, the authenticity of the video, including its time and location, has not been independently verified.
The operation has drawn criticism from relatives of the crew members who were aboard the vessels. Some family members have alleged that the US military acted without sufficient evidence, asserting that the individuals onboard were fishermen rather than drug traffickers. One woman, who identified herself as the wife of a crew member, claimed in a phone interview with Reuters that her husband and others were fishing when US forces boarded the vessel and that no drugs were found.
In response to the operation, the Ecuadorian navy reported that they had received 28 crew members from the targeted vessels, which were brought to Manta, Ecuador's primary fishing port, aboard a local coastguard vessel. As news of the operation spread, a group of individuals gathered outside the Community Surveillance Unit (UVC) in Manta, anxiously waiting for updates on their detained relatives.
The incidents are part of a broader campaign initiated by the Trump administration to combat maritime drug trafficking, which has raised alarms in Latin America regarding the use of military force in international waters. In addition to the recent sinking of the vessels, SOUTHCOM confirmed a prior attack on August 23 that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, followed by another strike two days later that killed four more. The identities of the victims from these attacks have not been disclosed.
The Trump administration has characterized its efforts against drug trafficking organizations as a "non-international armed conflict," according to an unreleased memo obtained by US media. This designation has implications for the legal framework surrounding the use of military force in such operations.
As the situation unfolds, the Ecuadorian government continues to emphasize the importance of international cooperation in tackling the pervasive issue of drug trafficking, while families of the detained fishermen seek clarity and justice regarding the actions taken by US forces. The debate over the balance between combating drug-related crime and protecting the rights of individuals remains a contentious issue in the region.