Marines Board and Sink Cartel Refueling Station in Eastern Pacific

Clear Facts

• U.S. Marines and sailors from USS San Antonio boarded and sank a vessel operating as a floating refueling station for Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization in the Eastern Pacific on September 2
• Multiple individuals were removed from the vessel and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities before U.S. forces sank the craft
• The operation is part of a monthslong Trump administration campaign that has resulted in at least 227 deaths across 68 strikes targeting cartel-linked trafficking networks

American military forces intercepted and destroyed a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday that intelligence confirmed was supporting violent drug traffickers, according to U.S. Southern Command.

The operation targeted a craft tied to Los Choneros, a narco-terrorist organization operating in coordination with international drug trafficking networks. SOUTHCOM said the vessel was functioning as a floating refueling station for illicit maritime drug operations.

“On Sept. 2, at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific,” SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.”

U.S. Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio executed the interdiction, boarding and searching the vessel without incident. Military personnel removed multiple individuals from the craft and transferred them to Ecuadorian authorities for processing.

Once all individuals were safely removed, American forces sank the vessel. SOUTHCOM characterized the operation as cutting off a critical logistics node in the drug trafficking network’s operations.

The action was conducted in support of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere’s mission to dismantle narco-terrorist networks throughout the region. SOUTHCOM did not disclose the precise coordinates of the operation.

“We are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere,” Gen. Donovan said.

“This operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which is on watch in the region to apply total systemic friction on these networks.”

Video released by SOUTHCOM shows military personnel intercepting the vessel, boarding the craft, and ultimately sinking it. Ecuador’s Ministry of National Defense shared additional footage of the operation on social media.

“The message is clear: the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition will continue to apply total systemic friction on narco-terrorists,” SOUTHCOM wrote in response.

Wednesday’s interdiction represents the latest action in a comprehensive campaign launched by the Trump administration aimed at dismantling cartel-linked trafficking networks. The strategy has focused on disrupting maritime logistics that enable drug traffickers to move product through international waters.

SOUTHCOM has conducted dozens of strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean targeting vessels connected to narco-terrorist organizations. Last week, the military carried out a strike in the Caribbean that killed four alleged narco-terrorists.

Following that strike, the Trump administration’s campaign targeting suspected cartel vessels has resulted in at least 227 deaths across 68 reported strikes over roughly one year. The operations represent an aggressive posture toward organizations that have flooded American communities with fentanyl and other deadly drugs.

The interdiction demonstrates growing cooperation between American military forces and partner nations in the region committed to disrupting transnational criminal organizations. Ecuador’s collaboration in the operation reflects shared security interests in combating drug trafficking that destabilizes both nations.

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