U.S. forces sink vessel accused of refueling narco-terrorist network in Pacific

U.S. Southern Command announced that on September 2 a joint task force, directed by Gen. Francis L. Donovan and working with the Government of Ecuador, intercepted a vessel in international waters of the Eastern Pacific that functioned as a mobile refueling station for drug traffickers linked to Los Choneros. Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio boarded, searched the craft and transferred multiple crew members to Ecuadorian officials before sinking the ship.

SOUTHCOM described the action as striking a critical node in the network of the violent narco-terrorist organization. The mission supports the objectives of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and JTF-WHEM to dismantle such logistics. Video released by the military shows the interception and sinking, and SOUTHCOM reiterated its commitment to applying “total systemic friction” against narco-terrorist operations.